LAS VEGAS, Nev. – New Mexico’s Pasanjo Kitonga was tabbed both the Mountain West Men’s Cross Country Athlete and Freshman of the Week, while fellow Lobo Mercy Kirarei was named the MW Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week. UNLV’s Anya Gorely earned MW Women’s Freshman of the Week honors.
 
MEN’S ATHLETE & FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
PASANJO KITONGA, NEW MEXICO
Freshman, Isiolo County, Kenya/Leparua Secondary

• Won the OSU Cowboy Jamboree (Stillwater, Oklahoma) in his collegiate cross country debut, leading the No. 2 Lobo men to a team victory over defending NCAA team champions and preseason No. 1 Oklahoma State with a time of 23:24.4.   
• Top Lobo finisher among four New Mexico runners in the top-10 on Oklahoma State's home course.   
• Recorded the 10th-fastest performance in Cowboy Jamboree history.   
• Named USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week for his performance.

WOMEN’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
MERCY KIRAREI, NEW MEXICO
Senior, Eldoret, Kenya/Eldoret, Kenya

• Ran the fifth-fastest women's 6K time in Cowboy Jamboree history (19:51.1) to finish fourth overall in Stillwater.
• Led the No. 2 Lobo women to a third-place team finish.

WOMEN’S FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
ANYA GORELY, UNLV
Fort Collins, Colorado/Fossil Ridge HS

• In her collegiate 5k debut, took first at the Duel in the Desert (Las Vegas, Nevada) with a time of 18:36.1.
• Led UNLV to a sweep of the top five scoring positions to win the Duel in the Desert at Floyd Lamb Park by 55 points.