Texas Tech University Athletics
Kittley, Kithuka Honored by Big 12 Conference
May 22, 2014 | Track and Field
Wes Kittley and Kennedy Kithuka were honored by the Big 12 Conference Thursday.
May 22, 2014
Big 12 Conference News Release
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech head track and field coach Wes Kittley and senior Red Raider distance runner Kennedy Kithuka were honored by the Big 12 Conference Thursday morning on the heels of the program's second Big 12 Championship.
Kittley was named the Big 12 Men's Coach of the Year while Kithuka was recognized as the Men's Performer of the Year - both awards were voted on by the league coaches.
"It's really special for your peers to honor you," Kittley said. "It's a reflection of our coaches and our student-athletes and the effort they have all made. It's not all about one individual, but I appreciate the honor. It's very special."
Kittley guided the Red Raiders to their second Big 12 Championship in program history as the No. 5 Red Raiders combined for 160.5 points at the conference meet last weekend - marking the most in school history and the most in league history by a current Big 12 school. He is being honored as Big 12 Coach of the Year for the first time in his career.
Kithuka helped propel the Red Raiders to the conference title with a sweep of the 5,000 and 10,000-meter races - winning both in record fashion. He opened the meet Friday night with a meet Big 12 meet record time of 28 minutes 48.04 seconds. He lapped the entire field just 3,600-meters into the race en route to the convincing victory.
The Bowerman Watch List member went on to capture the Big 12 5,000-meter crown Sunday and took down a 31-year-old facility record in the process crossing the finish line in 13:54.46. Kithuka combined for 20 points with the two performances.
Kithuka is the first Big 12 Men's Performer of the Year in Tech history and has now combined for six Big 12 Championships between cross country and track and field.
Players Mentioned
