Sept. 16, 2004
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – University of New Mexico freshman Shadrack Biwott and senior Jacquelyne Gallegos have been selected as the Mountain West Conference men’s and women’s cross country athletes of the week, respectively, the league office announced this morning. Gallegos is the first UNM woman, under head coach Matt Henry, to win the weekly honor, while Biwott is the fourth member of the men’s team selected.
Biwott, an Eldoret, Kenya, native, won at the Lobo Invitational on Saturday in Albuquerque, capturing his collegiate debut and leading the Lobos to the team victory. He finished the 8K race in 24:44, edging out teammate Matt Gonzales at the tape, while finishing a full 40 seconds ahead of the third place finisher.
Gallegos, from Pojoaque, N.M., had a triumphant comeback performance at the Lobo Invite, finishing third overall (out of 100 runners). She posted a career-best time of 22:13 in the 6K race, 16 seconds better than her previous career-high set in 2001. It was her highest finish since the 2002 Lobo Invite, where she finished second. After running at the 2002 Lobo Invite, Gallegos was involved in a near fatal auto accident, which ended her season. She spent the 2003 season regaining her form, finishing no higher than 62nd in three races.
New Mexico will be in action in Las Cruces, N.M. on Saturday, Sept. 18 at the NMSU Kachina Classic. The meet will serve as a tune-up race before the Lobos travel to Raleigh, N.C. for the elite Great American Cross Country Festival on Oct. 1.