University of Oklahoma Athletics

Poland Named to U.S. Junior National Team

Poland Set to Compete at World XC Championships

March 16, 2011 | Cross Country

By: Athletics Communications

March 16, 2011

NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma's Ryan Poland will represent the United States on Sunday as he competes in the 2011 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain. The freshman from Denver, Colo., will compete in the junior men's 8,000-meter race after finishing fifth at the same distance in the junior division at the USA Cross Country Championships in February. Poland is the first ever Oklahoma runner to represent the U.S. in an international cross country competition.

One of six men on the junior team, Poland completed the 8K course in San Diego on Feb. 5 in a time of 25:16, just 28 seconds off the winning time of 24:48, clocked by Erik Olson of Novato, Calif. Poland held a 5:01 mile pace throughout the 8K race. The 2009 Colorado 3A Cross Country state champion, Poland redshirted as a member of the 2010 Oklahoma Cross Country team.

Sunday's course in Punta Umbria is a 2,000-meter loop course through a wooded area with an added 600-meter loop towards the start and finish line area.

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