For the first time in school history, a Lewis-Clark State College runner has been named the NAIA National Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week.Jimmy Oribo, a junior from Kampala, Uganda, earned the honor from the NAIA Wednesday after he won the 5,000 meters at the New Balance Invitational in Nampa last Saturday at the Idaho Center. He ran a winning time of 15 minutes and 11 seconds, which not only set a school record, but also qualified him for the NAIA Indoor National Championships on March 3-5 in Geneva, Ohio.
Oribo is the first LCSC male athlete to qualify for the 5,000 at the NAIA national meet and the second Warrior athlete overall to qualify for this year’s national meet. Teammate Fernando Esparanza has qualified in both the 3,000 meters and mile.
Oribo was one of 35 runners nominated for the weekly award.
The NAIA Field Athlete of the Week was pole vaulter Robbie Haynie of Eastern Oregon.
Some LCSC runners and field athletes will be at the Boise State University Invite this Saturday, also at the Idaho Center.
