RENO, Nev. – Nevada men's cross country announced the first addition to the squad for the 2024-25 season with Reno native, Austin Key.
 
"Austin has huge upside as he is a low mileage athlete who is getting it done across cross country and track. I look forward to seeing what he can do," said head coach Kirk Elias.
 
Coming from North Valleys High School, Key has a personal record of 15:37 in the 5K, which he earned at the 2023 Flat Sac Invitational and posted a fourth-place finish in the 5K at the 2023 Clovis Cross-Country Invite. Highlighting the season, Key came away as the 2023 Nevada State 3A Cross Country Champion. Key carried his momentum from the course to the track where he broke the school record in the 1600m in a personal record time of 4:14.44 at the 2024 Sacramento Meet of Champions. Most recently, Key won the NIAA State Meet in the 3A Division, capturing titles in both the 1600m and 800m.
 
Although the first signing for the men's team, Key will be joining women's cross country signees Natalie Roberts, Aubrey Thompson, Marina Renna, Skylar Bennett, and Paulina Hultberg, as well as track and field sprinter Vivian Groppe and jumper Alma Kathan. During his time with Nevada, Key plans to major in engineering.