It was a chilly, windy day in the plains of Lubbock at the USATF Cross Country Championships. The dusting of snow from the day prior had melted away by race time at the Chaparral Ridge Cross Country Course.
Taking her first-ever USATF national title, Carrie Ellwood ran a dominant race in the women’s 10km at the USATF Cross Country Championships. Ellwood clocked a 34:22 to take gold by more than 20 seconds. In second, Cailie Logue clocked a 34:45 and Katie Camarena was third in 35:13.
“It’s a great course, but pretty windy. My race plan was to feel it out and be tucked in. Halfway through the first lap I found myself in the lead and had to commit and send it,” said Ellwood. “I’ve been top three at this event before but it feels great to have my first national title.”
Tokyo Olympian in the steeplechase, Benard Keter, took on the Championships with a national title as the goal. He came out victorious with his 29:43 clocking over the 10-kilometer course. Brian Berriatua took the silver medal with his 29:52 effort ahead of Anthony Camerieri’s 29:59 for bronze.
“I had a really good fall coming in and I've been training with a teammate, Hillary [Bor] who’s training for the Houston Marathon” said Keter. “A few weeks ago I thought I was fit to come here and I made the right decision becoming the champion for the first time.”
Zariel Macchia, who competed for Team USATF at the World Athletics U20 Championships this summer, took a decisive win in the women’s U20 6K. Macchia took the rolling hills in stride, crossing the finish in 21:46 - 11 seconds faster than anyone else in the field. Shore Athletic Club’s Liliah Gordon took silver with her 21:57 with Caitlyn Osani right on her tail in 21:59.
“I like to run with people so it was really nice to have girls with me out front to push me through the race,” said Macchia. “I was really looking forward to this because I always have great races at these USATF events.”
In the men’s U20 race, a pair of University of Minnesota teammates running unattached worked together through much of the 8K course to a one-two finish. Sam Scott pulled away for the win with a 25:17 clocking while Nolan Sutter took silver with his 25:39. The bronze medal went to University of Oregon freshman Jack Meier, who finished in 26:07.
“This race was a great opportunity for me to get even more experience at the 8K distance,” said Scott. “Finishing one-two with my teammate was as good as I could have hoped.”
The winter storm had a large indirect effect through the cancellation of many flights, particularly those going through Dallas or Atlanta. As a result of weather conditions in much of the country, some Masters clubs were unable to field complete teams for the championships, but that did not deter those who made it to Lubbock ready to compete.
As expected in the Masters women’s 6K, Renee Metivier had no problem repeating the Overall win she enjoyed at the 2022 edition of this race in San Diego, this time in 22:24. Alison Crocker, Metivier’s teammate, and Katherine Gwyn stayed with Metivier as long as they could, ultimately claiming secondand third in 23:20 and 24:28.
“The course ended up being one of the best courses I’ve run on aside from the wind - but that’s cross country,” said Metivier. “The moguls made it really fun and I loved that we could do these sharp turns where we could see the rest of the field.”
Joseph Gray, a strong favorite in the Masters men’s 10K, won his third-straight Masters overall championship on the turf, adding to his wins at 5 km and 10 km in November and December. His time of 25:31 gave him a victory margin of over 500 meters. Nicholas Kipruto and Trevor Pettingill finished second and third in 27:18 and 27:31.
“It was a big change in weather considering the weather I came through to get here,” said Gray. “It was a beautiful course and a nice group of guys out there so I can’t complain.”
The top age-grading score was achieved by three-time Masters Harrier of the Year, Rick Becker, who enjoyed a large victory margin. His 32:22 at age 70 earned an 87.66% to put him atop the age grading podium. Roger Sayre, 66, and Dan King, 65, took second and third. Sayre’s 31:45 scored an 85.92% and King’s 31:30 graded at 85.77%. Gray, the overall winner, was just off the podium in fourth with an 85.62%. Metivier, the overall women’s winner also had the top age grade. At 43, her winning time gave her an 83.02%. Abby Dean, 53, clocked 26:01 for a 78.98% and the silver medal. Jo Anne Rowland, 76, claimed the bronze medal; her 35:15 graded at 78.87%. It was nearly a double-podium day for Crocker, too, finishing fourth in age grading at 78.16%.
Masters Age Division Champions
Women: 40-44 Metivier 45-49 Sheila Sliverman 26:50 50-54 Dean 60-64 Mary Bryan 37:40 65-69 Suzanne Cordes 32:56 70-74 36:29. Men: 40-44 Gray 45-49 Pettingill 50-54 Chokri Dhaouadi 29:40 55-59 Kevin McGuire 31:27 60-64 Mark Zamek 30:45 65-69 King 70-74 Becker 75-79 Rick Katz 40:29.
Team Champions
Women: Team Red Lizard took their third consecutive cross country championship in 40+, adding Lubbock to Tacoma and Boulder. Impala Racing finished first in the 50+ division.
Men: Sports Warriors Albuquerque NM claimed the 40+ title with Blacksburg Striders Blacksburg VA taking gold in 50+.Boulder Road Runners scored wins in both 60+ and 70+.
Masters runners will have another chance to trod the turf in Gainesville, Florida at the end of March at the WMA Indoor Championships; the non-stadia cross country event is on Sunday, March 23rd. Details of those championships can be found here.
A full list of results from the Championships can be found here.
Masters Recap submitted by Paul Carlin Photo Credit: Kierra Eyiuche - Imagn Images