Kelati Named MW Track Athlete of the Week
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— University of New Mexico junior Weini Kelati has earned the first Mountain West Female Track and Field Athlete of the Week for the 2019-20 season as announced by the conference on Tuesday.
Tuesday’s announcement marks the third indoor conference honor for the Lobo after being named twice in 2019 (Jan. 29 and Feb. 12). Kelati also added an outdoor accolade in 2019 (April 23).
Kelati started the indoor season with a record-setting run at the Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener on Dec. 7. In the 5000-meter, Kelati ran 15:14.71 to finish third overall and second among collegiate runners, and in the process set records at the school-, conference- and national-level.
Her time set the UNM record and the MW indoor record by 0.07 seconds, surpassing teammate Ednah Kurgat’s time that she ran at the meet in 2018. Her time was also a personal best by 0.53 seconds, as well as the fourth-fastest time in collegiate indoor history and is currently the second-fastest time ran in the NCAA this season according to the TFRRS indoor qualifying performance list.
With the latest record, Kelati now owns three indoor school records (mile, 3000-meter and 5000-meter) and one outdoor record (10,000-meter). At the conference level, the junior All-American holds three indoor records as well in each of the same events.
Kelati and the rest of the Lobos return to the track on Jan. 24 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Collegiate Invitational held at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Fans can watch their Lobos compete by purchasing a Pride Pass. For only $50, the Lobo Pride Pass gives fans access to all home games and competitions during the 2019-20 year for women’s soccer, volleyball, swimming and diving, track and field, tennis, baseball and softball. Fans can purchase their Lobo Pride Pass online here (CLICK HERE), or they can do so directly through the Lobo Ticket Office in person or on the phone (925-LOBO). The Lobo Ticket Office is located in Dreamstyle Arena and is open 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Additionally, The University of New Mexico will be hosting the 2020 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center March 13-14. Tickets for the two-day event are on sale and can be purchased HERE.