MACON, Ga. (April 22, 2009) - ETSU junior Kenneth Rotich (Nairobi, Kenya) enjoyed running inside Hodges Stadium on Saturday afternoon at the UNF Osprey Challenge, as the Kenyan sensation cruised his way to a title in the 5000m. For his performance, Rotich earns Athlete of the Week, the conference announced Wednesday.

Rotich, who shed 12 seconds off his season best mark in the 5000m, was clocked with a time of 14:24.18 and led the Bucs to a 1-2-3 finish in the event. The native of Nairobi, Kenya has a commanding lead in the A-Sun performance charts as his time is nearly 30 seconds faster than teammate Jeff Crane in the event and 37 seconds faster than any competitor outside the ETSU campus. The engineering technology major blew away the 16-man field as Crane - who finished second - was nearly 30 seconds behind the junior distance runner.

This is Rotich's first outdoor Athlete of the Week Award, but his second overall as he earned the honor in indoor in 2008.

ETSU has a short break before returning to action taking part in the Liberty Twilight Qualifier on April 30.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

For more information on Buccaneer track and field, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.