Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Photo by: Alfredo Carrillo
Ampomah, Rutto Honored by C-USA
5/3/2016 10:12:00 AM | Track & Field/Cross Country
IRVING, Texas – In their final competitions before the Conference USA Championships, Eliud Rutto and John Ampomah earned Conference USA accolades for their performances at the Payton Jordan Invitational and Penn Relays, respectively.
"John (Ampomah) won the Penn Relays back-to-back, and was the first male in Middle Tennessee history to do that," said head coach Dean Hayes. "He also was the first from Ghana to win back-to-back championships as well."
Ampomah became the first back-to- back individual champion at the Penn Relays in Middle Tennessee history after winning the javelin with a throw of 77.81 meters, earning Conference USA Male Field Athlete of the Week accolades. (255-3). Ampomah's throw ranks as the fourth best in the NCAA and second best in Conference USA.
"John's throw was considerable longer than the second-place athlete," said Hayes. "The Penn Relays is really the close of the regular season and it is championship season from here on out."
Rutto, who was named C-USA Male Track Athelte of the Week, won his section of the 800 meter at the Payton Jordan Invitational with his second-best time of 2016, finishing in 1:46.24.. In all six sections of the 800, Rutto tallied the fastest time of the day. Rutto also beat New Balance runner Guy Learmonth, who finished in 1:47.08.
"Rutto ran a great race and our strategy paid off for him in California," said associate head coach Keith Vroman. "He really ran well up front and it was a great learning experience for him."
In Rutto's first attempt at the 800 during the 2016 outdoor season, the Eldoret, Kenya native ran a season-best 1:45.59, which ranks as the 10th best time in the world. Ampomah's distance of 77.81 meters is ranked 41st in the world.
Middle Tennessee continues competition with the C-USA Championships May 12-15 at the Dean A. Hayes Track Stadium.
"John (Ampomah) won the Penn Relays back-to-back, and was the first male in Middle Tennessee history to do that," said head coach Dean Hayes. "He also was the first from Ghana to win back-to-back championships as well."
Ampomah became the first back-to- back individual champion at the Penn Relays in Middle Tennessee history after winning the javelin with a throw of 77.81 meters, earning Conference USA Male Field Athlete of the Week accolades. (255-3). Ampomah's throw ranks as the fourth best in the NCAA and second best in Conference USA.
"John's throw was considerable longer than the second-place athlete," said Hayes. "The Penn Relays is really the close of the regular season and it is championship season from here on out."
Rutto, who was named C-USA Male Track Athelte of the Week, won his section of the 800 meter at the Payton Jordan Invitational with his second-best time of 2016, finishing in 1:46.24.. In all six sections of the 800, Rutto tallied the fastest time of the day. Rutto also beat New Balance runner Guy Learmonth, who finished in 1:47.08.
"Rutto ran a great race and our strategy paid off for him in California," said associate head coach Keith Vroman. "He really ran well up front and it was a great learning experience for him."
In Rutto's first attempt at the 800 during the 2016 outdoor season, the Eldoret, Kenya native ran a season-best 1:45.59, which ranks as the 10th best time in the world. Ampomah's distance of 77.81 meters is ranked 41st in the world.
Middle Tennessee continues competition with the C-USA Championships May 12-15 at the Dean A. Hayes Track Stadium.
Players Mentioned
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