IRVING, Texas — BYU distance runner Joey Nokes was awarded Big 12 Runner of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday afternoon.
The junior earns the award after placing first in the men's 4-mile at the Autumn Classic, the Cougars' first meet of the season on Friday, Sept. 8. Crossing the line at 19:33.1, Nokes placed ahead of fellow teammate and 2022 All-American Creed Thompson by a one-tenth of a second.
"Joey has taken on the mantel of one of our team leaders due to his work over the summer, his consistency in trainng, and racing well," said BYU head coach Ed Eyestone. "He put himself up front early in the race as he set the pace and the team responded well. He ramped up the pace over the last two miles to give some separation and help establish the team victory. I look for him to build on his All-Conference and All-Regional honors from last season and battle for an All-American spot this year in Virginia."
The veteran now holds two runner of the week honors after being named West Coast Conference Runner of the Week last season. He has also placed in a top-ten spot six times in 12 meets, with three being podium finishes. Last Friday's victory gave him back-to-back season-opening wins, including last year's finish of 15:24.8 in the men's 5k at the UVU Invitational.
The Riverton, Utah native finished the 2022 season at 52nd during the Division I NCAA Cross Country Championships 10k with at time of 29:48.2, helping propel the Cougars to a third-place team finish.
Keeping it in the family, Nokes' wife Morgan Nokes was named WAC Athlete of the Week after winning this year's women's 5k at the UVU Invitational with a time of 16:24.0 on Friday, Sept. 1.
BYU will next compete in the Virginia Invitational at Panorama Farms in Earlysville, Virginia on Sept. 23. The men's 8k A Race will begin at 9:30 a.m. EDT.