LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Nevada’s Austin Key was named the Mountain West Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week for a second time this season, while Grand Canyon’s Isabella Velazquez earned MW Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week honors. Hawai‘i’s Atarah Robinsonpicked up her third  MW Women’s Freshman of the Week honor and Grand Canyon’s Micah Newkirk was named MW Men’s Freshman of the Week.
 
MEN’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
AUSTIN KEY, NEVADA
Sophomore, Reno, Nevada/North Valleys HS

• Took first at the Charles Bowles Invitational (Salem, Oregon) with an 8K time of 23:59.1.   
• His 8K time was a personal best and was the fastest time in the Mountain West this week.   
• Secured the program's first individual victory since 2023.   
• Helped lead Nevada to a second-place team finish.

MEN’S FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
MICAH NEWKIRK, GRAND CANYON
Tempe, Arizona/Valley Christian HS

• Finished 18th individually in the 8k at the Cougar Challenge (San Marcos, California) with a time of 25:17.5.   
• Served as the top finisher for the Lopes, marking his first top finish on the year.

WOMEN’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
ISABELLA VELAZQUEZ, GRAND CANYON 
Sophomore, Buckeye, Arizona/Canyon View HS

• Placed sixth individually in the 6k at the Cougar Challenge with a time of 21:28.2.   
• Earned her first top-10 finish of the season for GCU.  
• Led the team to a second-place finish.

WOMEN’S FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
ATARAH ROBINSON, HAWAI‘I 
Freshman, Venice, Florida/Venice HS

• Finished sixth individually in the 5k at the Charles Bowl Invitational with a time of 17:34.6, helping Rainbow Wahine to a team victory at the event.    
• Moved into eighth all-time at UH in the 5k.   
• One of four UH runners to finish in the top-15, securing the program's first win at the event since 2001.