Matt McClintock was the top USA Men's Junior in 20th place. (Photo by Michael Scott)
In the Men's Jr race Matt McClintock of Purdue University and formerly Madison HS continued his success on the XC trails with a 20th place finish. He was the first non-african finisher in the race. Matt covered the challenging course, that had been covered in snow in the days leading up to the race in 22:52. The course they were running, had a lot of difficult terrain, inlcuding a hill that makes the wall at Twinbrook look like a straightway on the track, also there were several sharp turns that broke up your rhythm as well as mud. Despite an early fall that took out a few of his US teammates, Matt said the team was able to work there way up through the pack together after that.
Here is what Matt had to say about the course " the course was really torn up and muddy, but I think it played into my strengths as a runner" via facebook post race.
With his 20th place finish he was the top US runner, and helped the US squad to a 4th place finish overall. When asked about what it meant to finish 20th in the world. I think it's pretty cool. One of my teammates posted on my facebook wall "My training partner is the fastest non-African junior in the world... I'm still letting that sink in. Matt McClintock you're a stud." and that kind of gave me butterflies and helped me realize what I accomplished".
The freshman from Athens, Maine is making an impact not only on the collegiate level but now international!Hard to believe Matt was winning the Class C state title in 2011, now he's 20th in the world!
Interview with Matt
Ben True was the top USA Senior finisher in 6th (Photos by Michael Scott)
In the Men's Sr race, Saucony's Ben True excelled in tough conditions as excepted. True who has always excelled at XC, put himself front pack from the start of the race, and then hung on as the pace continued to increase throughout each 2k loop.True who finished 35th in the 2011 World XC race was never out of the top 15 this year once the race got going. He worked with fellow American Chris Derrick who would go on to finish 10th. In lap 4 True set out on his own in pursuit of a top 5 finish, he kept contact until a big push from the front pack split up the race. In the final loop Ben regained his composure and was closing fast on 4th & 5th but ran out of room.He would cover the 12k race in 33:11, just 3 seconds out of a 4th place finish. True was the top non-african in the race, and with his 6th place finish helped a strong US team to a silver medal as they edged out Kenya 52-54
US Men's Sr XC team celebrating with their silver medals, far right is Ben true top US finisher in 6th (Photo by Michael Scott)
With his top 15 finish True now has the "A" standard in the 10k on the track for this summer's world championships. True's best on the track for 10k is 27:41, the "A" standard is 27:40 but because of his top 15 finish he now has it. Ben has said he will pursue the 10k on the track this spring in hopes of lowering his personal best and contend for a spot on the US Word team this summer.
Post-Race letsrun.com caught up with Ben briefly
Listen to what Ben had to say pre-race yesterday in an interview with Letsrun.com
True 6th in World XC meet leads US to team silver, McClintock 20th leads US Jr men!
