By Melissa Yerkov

Times Sports Editor

In 2007, Fred Tuwei left his home in Nairobi, Kenya, and settled in Northeast Philadelphia to attend Holy Family University and run cross-country for the Tigers.

It was history in the making.

Today, Tuwei has raced his way into Holy Family's record books, having become the first runner in school history to claim the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference title.

The 5-foot-5, 129-pound sprinter claimed first place in the CACC cross-country championship, held at Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park on Oct. 24. He finished with a time of 26:57.48 - 32 seconds before any other racers, and, in the process, he won his fifth event meet of the season.

"I wasn't nervous, because I knew I was prepared," said Tuwei, who also was named CACC runner of the year this season. "I wasn't thinking as much as I was feeling. I knew I was in shape and I was prepared, so I just concentrated on staying focused and feeling myself run fast."

The Holy Family junior has been running competitively for five years now - two while attending Kaptel High School in East Africa and the last three with the Tigers. However, it wasn't until recently that his natural talents exploded on the various courses as he dashed along.

During the second meet of the season, on Sept. 19, Tuwei set a new school record, finishing the eight-kilometer course in 26:42.49 - and burying the old record set by Andrew Phillips in 2004 by almost an entire minute. Tuwei's speed earned him fourth place among 110 runners that day during the University of Delaware Cross Country Invitational, held at White Clay Creek Park.

The record didn't stand for long, though.

A few weeks later, on Oct. 3, he did it again, this time breaking his own record with a winning time of 26:31.06 at the Belmont Classic. By the next week, during the Cabrini Invitational, his time had improved even more, as he finished at 26:15.87 - another school record.

"Kenyans are their own culture when it comes to distance runners, and Fred is a product of that," explained Holy Family coach Daryl McKeever. "When he runs, he competes with a pride and stubbornness that is amazing to watch and a pleasure to coach. I am very proud of what he has done.

"He has shown he is an exceptional student and young person. He gave us that before he excelled on the athletic field," McKeever continued. "He is mature and experienced as a runner from his competitions and training in Kenya. Running was a way of life for Fred."

His transition from life in Kenya to Philadelphia was not easy, though. Now 21, Tuwei was only a teenager when he decided to leave his family, friends and everything he'd ever known in hopes of achieving his dream of receiving a college education.

"It was difficult at first. Everything changes - the food, the culture, school, everything," explained Tuwei. "It was hard, and of course I miss my friends and family back home, but it's OK. It's good now. I live here now and I like it here. The hardest part is being away from my family. I've never been away from home this long before."

Tuwei said farewell to six brothers and sisters when he headed for America. He hasn't been home yet to visit, though he plans to make the trip this summer.

"I do get a little homesick, but I call home every week," said Tuwei, who lives on Holy Family's campus with a few cross-country teammates. "It's hard because my family is still in Kenya, but I came here because I wanted to get a quality education."

He's just as happy with the educational opportunities at Holy Family.

"It's a good school with small classrooms. I like my classes," he added. "I enjoy the team. I know everyone is trying their best. We all get along and work together well. I'm glad I'm here."

Tuwei's daily routine includes an early-morning run followed by schoolwork, reading and classes, then cross-country practice with the Tigers, then more studying.

"I really like my schoolwork, that's the best part. I like being a student," said Tuwei, who is majoring in finance and plans to attend graduate school for a career in banking. "I concentrate on schoolwork. That is most important."

Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com