Erassa Notches Two Top-Five Finishes in Eugene

Saturday, June 25

Eugene, Ore.

All Day

Oklahoma State University

USATF Championships

June 26, 2011 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track

June 26, 2011

EUGENE, Ore. – Oklahoma State's Kirubel Erassa notched a pair of top-five finishes at the 2011 USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships Saturday, taking fourth in the 1,500 meters and fifth in the 5,000 meters.

Erassa, from Grayson, Ga., recorded a new personal best time of 3:49.95 in the 1,500-meter run as he was the top finisher among athletes affiliated with a collegiate team. That time was just over a second behind the champion.

After just two hours of rest, the Cowboy freshman then took on an elite field in the 5,000 meters. His time of 14:28.66 was within 20 seconds of the champion and gave him his second top-five finish of the day.

Cowboy teammate Matt McElroy joined Erassa in the 5,000 meters, finishing in ninth place with a time of 14:37.55.

The meet, featuring some of the best talent in the world, is hosted at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field and runs June 23-26.

2011 USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships
June 25, 2011 | Eugene, Ore. | Hayward Field