ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Junior Ednah Kurgat has been named to the Preseason Watch List for The Bowerman, the highest honor for collegiate track and field, as announced by the USTFCCCA on Monday.
It marks the second time in the distance runner’s career that she has been named to The Bowerman list, as Kurgat earned a spot on The Bowerman Women’s Mid-Indoor Watch List last season.
The Eldoret, Kenya, native is one of 10 women on the preseason list. She currently holds the top time in the NCAA in 5,000-meter after running 15:14.78 to open the indoor season at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener on Dec. 1.
As a result of her performance, Kurgat was selected as the USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week on Dec. 4 by the USTFCCCA and the Mountain West Women’s Track Athlete of the Week on Dec. 11. Her time also registered as the third-fastest time in NCAA history and in the process broke her own school and Mountain West indoor record in the event.
Kurgat is the first female New Mexico athlete to appear on any Watch List for The Bowerman, but Olympian and Bowerman semifinalist Courtney Frerichs was a semifinalist for the award (bypassing the Watch Lists altogether) in 2016.
UNM returns to competition on Jan. 18, when the Lobos host the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Collegiate Invitational.
Fans can attend the invitational using their New Mexico Mutual Pride Pass, which can be purchased for $50, and includes admission to all indoor track, baseball and softball home events.
To purchase your 2018-19 New Mexico Mutual Lobo Pride Pass click here.
You may also call 925-LOBO or visit the Lobo Ticket Office located in Dreamstyle Arena for more information.