New Orleans, Louisiana - National Athlete of the Week is an award selected and presented by the USTFCCCA Communications Staff at the beginning of each week to 14 collegiate cross country athletes, when applicable (male and female for each of the three NCAA divisions, the NAIA and the NJCAA).

Nominations are open to the public. Coaches and sports information directors are encouraged to nominate their student-athletes; as are student-athletes, their families and friends, and fans of their programs. Nominated athletes are noticed before those athletes found through searching TFRRS.

The award seeks to highlight not only the very best times, marks and scores on a week-to-week basis, but also performances that were significant on the national landscape and/or the latest in a series of strong outings. Quality of competition, suspenseful finishes and other factors will also play a role in the decision.

If Ian Rono wasn't on your watchlist before, he should be now. 

The freshman sensation from Texas A&M International remains undefeated across three races after storming to victory at the Lone Star Championships. Rono ran 23:31.49 across 8k, jogging down the finishing chute without another soul in sight. He stopped the clock 25 seconds ahead of Adrian Legaretta, a name we've definitely heard of.

Perhaps more impressive is that Rono did this entirely alone. On the contrary, West Texas A&M swept the next five spots behind him in an all-out effort. The closest Dustdevil was more than two minutes behind.

This marks the first time an athlete from Texas A&M International has been named M-F National Athlete of the Week during the cross country season.