USA Men Earn Team Bronze in the U20 Race

By Clay Shaw
Photography by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell

Bathurst, Australia, February 18, 2023, World Cross Country Championships at the Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit—Emilio Young from Newbury Park, CA who won in Richmond, VA, was the first non-East African runner at World XC.  He was happy, finishing with gusto and a big smile.  He was 16th in 26:03 and was soon followed by teammates Marco Langon of Raritan, NJ (19th), Max Sennes of Big Bear, CA (21st), Kole Mathison of Carmel, IN (25th), Micah Wilson of St Charles, IL (27th), and Evan Jenkins of Camas, WA (53rd).  It was the first USA U20 men’s medal since 1982.  Kenya edged Ethiopia 21 to 22 in team scoring. Uganda who had three men in the top eleven, did not have a fourth athlete due to visa problems.  The USA scored 34 points to earn the bronze, with South Africa and Great Britain rounding out the top five.

Ismael Kipkurui of Kenya won a close race, with a one-second win over teammate Renold Cheruiyot. Kipkirui was timed in 24:29 on the hilly 8K course.  Cheruiyiot was second in 24:30 and Boki Diriba of Ethiopia was third in 24:31.  Dan Kibet of Uganda was fourth in 24:36.  Bereket Zeleke of Ethiopia was fifth in 24:51.  64 of the 69 starters finished the hot and hilly course.

Top Finishers

  1. 24:29 Ishmael Kipkurui, Kenya
  2. 24:30 Reynold Cheruiyot, Kenya
  3. 24:31 Boki Diriba, Ethiopia
  4. 24:36 Dan Kibet, Uganda
  5. 24:51 Bereket Zeleke, Ethiopia
  6. 24:52 Keneth Kiprop, Uganda
  7. 24:52 Abel Bekele, Ethiopia
  8. 25:10 Bereket Nega, Ethiopia
  9. 25:13 Dennis Mutuku, Kenya
  10. 25:17 Daniel Kinyanjui, Kenya
  11. 25:24 Hosea Chemutai, Uganda
  12. 25:24 Charles Rotich, Kenya
  13. 25:24 Kuma Girma, Ethiopia
  14. 25:38 Dennis Kipkurui, Kenya
  15. 25:46 Yismaw Dillu, Ethiopia
  16. 26:03 Emilio Young, United States
  17. 26:06 Archie Noakes, Australia
  18. 26:10 Edward Bird, Great Britain
  19. 26:16 Marco Langon, United States
  20. 26:22 Jayde Rosslee, South Africa
  21. 26:24 Max Sannes, United States
  22. 26:35 Dino Nako, South Africa
  23. 26:35 Jaouad Khchina, Morocco
  24. 26:39 Diachi Shibata, Japan
  25. 26:42 Kole Mathison, United States
  26. 26:44 Jacob Deacon, Great Britain
  27. 26:50 Micah Wilson, United States
  28. 26:52 Luke Birdseye, Great Britain
  29. 26:54 Sergio Del Barrio, Spain
  30. 26:55 Zouhair Redouane, Morocco
Hiroto Yoshioka of Japan led for the first five minutes of the U20 men’s race. In the end he collapsed just short of the finish line.
The players move to the front on next to last lap.
Marco Langon of Raritan, NJ was 19th in 26:16.
USA runners head for “The Chicane.” Marco Langon, Emilio Young, Kole Mathison, and Micah Wilson, along with Jacob Deacon of Great Britain.
Kole Mathison of St Charles, IL hurdled some of the tires in “The Chicane.”
Evan Jenkins of the USA in the international mix of runners in the U20 race.
Micah Wilson of the USA turns wide just in front his teammates.
Evan Jenkins of U of Washington rounds the corner at World Cross Country in Bathurst.
Luke Birdseye and Sam Mills of Great Britain on the U20 team that placed fifth.
Mark Lopez and Roberto Castro represent Mexico in the U20 race.
Bereket Nega of Ethiopia leads a group through “The Chicane.”
Keneth Kirpop of Uganda leads runners through “The Chicane,” an obstacle of big race car tires.
The South African team was a strong foe of team USA, as the South African team placed fourth and the USA placed third.
Marco Langon leads Emilio Young as team USA negotiates “The Chicane.”
Ishmael Kipkurui of Kenya wins the U20 8K in a close battle with Reynold Cheruiyot and Boki Diriba of Ethiopia.
Podium U20 Reynold Cheruiyot and Ishmael Kipkurui of Kenya and Boki Diriba of Ethiopia.
Bereket Zeleke of Ethiopia races home in fifth, just ahead of Keneth Kiprop of Uganda and Abel Bekele of Ethiopia.
Emilio Young of Newbury Park, CA is a happy finisher, placing 16th overall and leading the USA team to the bronze. Young was the first non-East African finisher.
Edward Bird of Great Britain was 18th in 26:10. Bird led GBR to fifth place.
Max Sennes of Big Bear, CA was 21st and third USA in the U20 event, helping USA to the bronze medal.
Kole Mathison of Carmel, IN was 25th in 26:42 and was the fourth scorer of the USA bronze medal winning team
Micah Wilson of the USA charges home in 27th place.
Hugh Kent of Guam was a crowd favorite as he hurdled the tires in “The Chicane.”
Hugh Kent of Guam hurdles the tires in “The Chicane.”


Categories: Race Coverage

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