NIACC's Khat wins NJCAA Midwest Region indoor track athlete of year award

PITTSBURG, Kan. - NIACC's Wal Khat has been selected as the NJCAA Midwest Region indoor track male athlete of the year.

The Atlantic region winner was Kasique Oliver of Monroe (N.Y.), the Central region winner was Tobile Mosquito of Cloud County CC (Kansas) and the West region winner was Gilbet Kigen of Central Arizona.

Khat, a sophomore from Mooseheart, Ill., won the NJCAA Region XI titles in the 600-meter dash (1:21.66) and the 800-meter run (1:54.05).

Khat owns the NIACC indoor school record in the 600 (1:21.66) and 800 (1:53.06).

Khat owns the top seed in the 800 for this weekend's NJCAA national meet with a converted time of 1:52.45.

The NJCAA national indoor track and field meet is set for Friday and Saturday.

Khat's 2017 indoor season:

University of Dubuque Sol Butler Classic (1-14-17)

600 - 1:22.54 (Placed 1st); Mile - 4:27.60 (Placed 1st).

University of Wartburg Chelsey M. Henkenius Open (1-21-17)

800 - 2:01.60 (1st).

University of Northern Iowa Jack Jennett Open (1-26-17)

800 - 1:56.09 (1st); Mile - 4:27.27 (1st).

Grinnell Indoor Invitational (2-4-17)

600 - 1:23.53 (1st).

SDSU Indoor Classic (Feb. 10-11, 2017)

800 - 1:53.06 (8th); 1,000 - 2:36.70 (19th).

NJCAA Region XI meet (Feb. 17-18)

600 - 1:21.66 (1st); 800 - 1:54.05 (1st).

2017 indoor season personal bests

600 - 1:21.66 (2-17-17); 800 - 1:53.06 (2-11-17); 1,000 - 2:36.70 (2-10-17); Mile - 4:27.27 (1-26-17).