ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — After leading New Mexico men to a win over top-ranked Oklahoma State with an individual title at the Cowboy Jamboree, New Mexico’s Pasanjo Kitonga has been named the USTFCCCA Division I Men’s Cross Country National Athlete of the Week, the association announced Monday.
He becomes just the second man and sixth athlete overall to earn a National Athlete of the Week honor in cross country -- Habtom Samuel was named National Athlete of the Week twice in the last two seasons (Oct. 21, 2024; Oct. 20, 2025).
MEN'S NATIONAL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK HONOREES FROM UNM
| Men | Award date |
|---|---|
| Habtom Samuel | Oct. 21, 2024; Oct. 20, 2025 |
| Pasanjo Kitonga | Sept. 28, 2026 |
WOMEN'S NATIONAL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK HONOREES FROM UNM
| Athlete | Award date |
|---|---|
| Charlotte Arter | Oct. 6, 2014 |
| Ednah Kurgat | Oct. 2 and Oct. 30, 2017 |
| Weini Kelati | Oct. 15, 2018; Oct. 7 and Nov. 4, 2019 |
| Pamela Kosgei | Oct. 21, 2024 |
Kitonga covered the 8K course in 23:24.4 to lead four Lobos among the top six finishers in Stillwater, Oklahoma. His victory helped No. 2 New Mexico score 28 points and claim its first Cowboy Jamboree team title, finishing 16 points ahead of top-ranked and defending national champion Oklahoma State.
After their win over Cowboys, the Lobo men will likely rise to No. 1 in the nation for the first time in program history in Tuesday's updated national rankings.
That 23:24.4 finish ranks 10th amongst Cowboy Jamboree performances all-time, tying with Nico Young's finish in 2022.
UP NEXT
The Lobos will face a much wider field of ranked opponents at the Nuttycombe Invitational in Madison, Wisc. in two weeks – their final race before Mountain West Championships Oct. 30 in Reno, Nev.