Saruni Sets World Record at Albuquerque Track and Field Meet

Last Updated on February 24, 2018 at 12:00 AM

Originally published February 24, 2018

By UTEP Athletics

UTEP Communications

Sophomore Michael Saruni continues his impressive start to the indoor season, setting a world best of 1:14.79 in the 600m on Jan. 19, 2018 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

"Saruni's world record race was very impressive," UTEP track and Field Head coach Mika Laaksonen said. "He's a special athlete and he's only going to improve as the season moves on."

Another facility record falls victim to the Kenya native, which also is a world best time. His time beats that of former teammate and 2017 NCAA Champion Emmanuel Korir (1:14.97). Saruni's time ranks first in the world, beating Casimir Loxson (1:14.91, 2005).

Saruni’s 2017 indoor and outdoor seasons were so successful they resulted in him being named an All-American in both categories.

Saruni’s Freshman Accomplishments
2017 OUTDOOR: Competed at the Texas Relays in the 800m Invitational and finished by setting a Texas Relays meet record with the fastest time in the nation (1:45.82) beating the 2012 Olympic silver medalist (Leonel Manzano) and the collegiate record holder (Donavan Brazier) … took first place in the 800m at the Conference USA Championships … advanced to the NCAA Championships with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA West Region Preliminaries … garnered All-American honors clocking in an eighth-place finish at the NCAA Championships … notched a second-place finish in the 1,500m with a personal best of 3:46.15 … competed in the 4x400m relay at the NCAA West Region Preliminaries clocking in a season best of 3:03.15 … advanced to the NCAA Championships in the 4x400m relay finishing in 24th-place overall.

2017 INDOOR: Notched a personal best of 4:03.32 in the mile claiming gold at the Conference USA Championships … took first in the 800m at the conference meet earning first team honors … posted a personal best of 1:46.90 in the 800m at the New Mexico Classic taking second place overall … recorded a season-best time of 9:31.13 as part of the distance medley team at the Music City Challenge … qualified to the NCAA Championships in the 800m and distance medley relay … helped the DMR team notch an 11th-place finish at NCAA Championships with a time of 9:56.03.