Tuesday, May 8, 2018

NEW ORLEANS – For the second time this track season, Alaska Anchorage senior Caroline Kurgat has been honored by the U.S. Track and Field & Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as its Division II Female Athlete of the Week.

Kurgat was honored for her efforts in lowering her GNAC record in the 5,000 meters at the Payton Jordan Invitational, held last Thursday at Stanford University’s Cobb Track. Kurgat reset her own record in the 5,000 meters and ran the third-fastest time in the event in Division II history as she ran 15:41.21.

The time is a two-second lifetime best for Kurgat, who had run 15:43.95 at last month’s Bryan Clay Invitational, and was the fifth-fastest time in the event of any collegiate performer last week.

The senior from Eldoret, Kenya is looking to finish her college career with a bang. She is automatically qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships in the 1,500 meters, 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, and has set GNAC records this season in the latter two events. Her season-best and GNAC record of 32:33.94 in the 10,000 meters is the second-fastest time in Division II history.

In addition to the two track awards, Kurgat was honored by the USTFCCCA three times during the cross country season leading up to her win at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships.