Oklahoma State University Athletics
Erassa To Run The 3,000m in Albuquerque
March 11, 2014 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
March 11, 2014
STILLWATER -
Due to a late scratch, Oklahoma State's Kirubel Erassa will run the 3,000 meters at this weekend's NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships.
Erassa left the 2014 Big 12 Championships having missed out on qualifying in the 3,000 meters by less than half a second, due to the physical toll of not only setting a meet record while winning the 3,000 meters, but also running and winning the mile and 5,000 meters earlier in the weekend to ensure Oklahoma State's first indoor conference title.
Now, he will still get his chance to race.
“This is awesome for Kirubel,” OSU coach Dave Smith said. “I can't imagine an athlete more deserving. He was completely fine with having sacrificed his chance to run in this race in exchange for a Big 12 title, and now he gets to compete anyway. I'm extremely happy for him.”
In the 3,000 meters at the 2013 NCAA Indoor Championships, Erassa was running step-for-step with eventual champion Lawi Lalang on the final lap before having his jersey tugged from behind and finishing third.
In the last nine days, Erassa has been named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Co-Athlete of the Week, the 2014 Big 12 Indoor Performer of the Year and the 2014 USTFCCCA Midwest Region Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, in addition to today's announcement.
The NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships will take place this weekend, March 14-15, in Albuquerque, N.M.
