NORFOLK, Va. – Sophomore Kellen Rutto (Eldoret, Kenya) and junior Josef Tessema (Springfield, Va.) were named the MEAC Athletes of the Week for their efforts for the Spartan cross country teams last week at the Colonial Inter-Regional Challenge.

Rutto placed 12th overall, and second among attached runners. She covered the 4,000-meter course in 15 minutes, 11 seconds to help the Spartans finish third out of five teams. This is her second MEAC Women's Athlete of the Week honor this season.

Tessema earned his second consecutive first-place finish for the Spartans, who are ranked eighth in the USTFCCCA Southeast Region this week. He finished the 6,000-meter course in 18:27, helping the Spartans win the team competition. This is also his second straight MEAC Men's Athlete of the Week honor.

Both teams are back in action this week at the Great American Cross Country Challenge in Cary, N.C.