Texas Tech freshman Nick Rivera was crowned June 21st as the U.S. Junior 800-meter Champion finishing first overall with a new career-best time.
Rivera crossed the finish line with a winning time of 1:49.55 at the 2013 USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The La Puente, California native now qualifies for Team USA, which will compete at the 2013 Pan Am Junior Championships in Medellin, Columbia in August.
"What a tremendous race for our freshman," head coach Wes Kittley said. "It just goes to show you how tough he really is. He has shown time and time again what type of tremendous competitor he is. He will represent Texas Tech University and the USA in a great fashion at the Pan Am Championships this summer."
In May, Rivera became the first Texas Tech athlete, and first Big 12 athlete since 2008, to sweep the Big 12 Indoor and Outdoor Championships in the 800-meter run.