BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- After another record-setting performance, Auburn University at Montgomery men's cross country runner Basil Koech was named the Gulf South Conference's Freshman of the Week, as announced by the league on Wednesday, Sept. 20.

Koech bested Micah Britton's previous school-best 8K time of 24:52.50, which was run at the 2020 Gulf South Conference cross country championships. The Kericho, Kenya native posted a 24:49.00 and finished 45th overall among a competition field of 303 runners at the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Ala.

Koech was the seventh freshman across the line in the field of 303 runners. He was the first Division II freshman to finish behind six Division I runners and one freshman NAIA finisher.

AUM, ranked No. 6 in the USTFCCCA South Region Poll, has now seen back-to-back record-setting performances from Koech. In his debut race, he re-wrote the program's 5K record (15:39.60) and helped the team to second place overall at the Foothills Invitational. Koech now also owns the 8K school record.

The Warhawks return to the course on Friday, September 29th as they travel to Tallahassee, Fla. to race in the Florida State Invitational. The race will be held at Apalachee Regional Park.

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