Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Abu, Rutto earn C-USA honors
2/16/2016 11:05:00 AM | Track & Field/Cross Country
Both set MT records
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee track & field's Eliud Rutto and Agnes Abu have been honored by Conference USA, as the duo has been named C-USA Male Track Athlete of the Week and Female Track Athlete of the Week, respectively.
Abu competed at the Music City Challenge in the 800 meter, 4x400-meter relay and the distance medley relay.
"She has really worked hard and done a great job for us," said head coach Dean Hayes. "She has given us a solid link and helped us in our distance medley relay team and has worked hard to get where she is at in the 800 meter."
The Kumasi, Ghana native set the Middle Tennessee indoor record in the 800, finishing in a career-best 2:05.71. Her time ranks 23rd in the NCAA and first in Conference USA.
Abu also helped the team of Joshpine Kiptebeny, Susan Aneno and Rhema Cheruiyot set the MT distance medley relay Friday night. The squad captured the top spot in the event with their 11:37.10 time, breaking the previous record of 12:00.89.
For Rutto, racing in the 800 meter is nothing new. The junior from Eldoret, Kenya went to the Iowa State Classic separate the MT track & field teams to compete in the event, and despite finishing third the Blue Raider set the MT indoor record.
"He has really done a good job to come back to form after not competing last season," said head coach Dean Hayes. "I am very happy for him because he works hard and has helped us where ever we needed. He is a good leader of the group."
Rutto raced down to the wire and came up just shy of winning the event, placing third in 1:46.87. His time ranks as the third-fastest in the NCAA this season and also the top time in Conference USA.
Middle Tennessee is slated to compete next in the Conference USA Championships in Birmingham, Alabama Feb. 24-25.
Abu competed at the Music City Challenge in the 800 meter, 4x400-meter relay and the distance medley relay.
"She has really worked hard and done a great job for us," said head coach Dean Hayes. "She has given us a solid link and helped us in our distance medley relay team and has worked hard to get where she is at in the 800 meter."
The Kumasi, Ghana native set the Middle Tennessee indoor record in the 800, finishing in a career-best 2:05.71. Her time ranks 23rd in the NCAA and first in Conference USA.
Abu also helped the team of Joshpine Kiptebeny, Susan Aneno and Rhema Cheruiyot set the MT distance medley relay Friday night. The squad captured the top spot in the event with their 11:37.10 time, breaking the previous record of 12:00.89.
For Rutto, racing in the 800 meter is nothing new. The junior from Eldoret, Kenya went to the Iowa State Classic separate the MT track & field teams to compete in the event, and despite finishing third the Blue Raider set the MT indoor record.
"He has really done a good job to come back to form after not competing last season," said head coach Dean Hayes. "I am very happy for him because he works hard and has helped us where ever we needed. He is a good leader of the group."
Rutto raced down to the wire and came up just shy of winning the event, placing third in 1:46.87. His time ranks as the third-fastest in the NCAA this season and also the top time in Conference USA.
Middle Tennessee is slated to compete next in the Conference USA Championships in Birmingham, Alabama Feb. 24-25.
Players Mentioned
XC/Dist.
/ Track & Field/Cross Country
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/ Track & Field/Cross CountryXC/Dist.
/ Track & Field/Cross CountryXC/Dist.
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