Kirubel Erassa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kirubel Erassa

Kirubel at the 2018 USATF Indoor Championships
Personal information
Nationality	United States
Born	(1993-06-17) June 17, 1993 (age 32) Ethiopia
Sport
Sport	Track
Event(s)	1500 meters, mile, 5000 meters
College team	Oklahoma State University
Club	Atlanta Track Club since 11/2015
Turned pro	2015
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	1500 meters: 3:38.26 Mile: 3:57.86 5000 meters: 13:17.23 10,000 meters: 27:32.86
Medal record Men's athletics Representing the  United States IAAF Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country International Challenge Gold 2012Edinburgh Cross Country

Kirubel Erassa, born on June 17, 1993, is an American runner who specializes in middle and long-distance races. He was born in Ethiopia but now represents the United States. Kirubel is a very talented athlete. He won a silver medal in the 3000 meters at the 2014 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships. He also earned the title of "All-American" seven times in NCAA Division 1 track and field, which means he was one of the best college athletes in the country.

Early Life and High School Running

Kirubel Erassa went to Grayson High School. He was a top high school runner across the nation. In 2009, he earned a spot on the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships team. This is a big deal for young runners!

He also competed in the 2010 adidas Jim Ryun Boys Dream Mile. This race was part of the New York Diamond League, a series of elite track and field events. At the 2010 Nike Indoor Nationals, Kirubel won first place in the 5000 meters. He also finished second in the mile run.

During his junior year, Kirubel became the Georgia AAAAA state champion in the 1600 meters. He also competed at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. In his senior year, he won the Georgia AAAAA state championship again in cross country and the 1600 meters. He was also the runner-up in the 3200 meters.

College Career at Oklahoma State University

Kirubel continued his amazing running career at Oklahoma State University. He was a key member of their track and field and cross country teams.

Track and Field Success

In his first year of college, Kirubel quickly showed his talent. He placed third in the mile race at the Big 12 Conference indoor championships. He also finished ninth in the 3000 meters. Later, at the regional outdoor championships, he placed fourth in the 1500 meters.

His second year was even better. He won the Big 12 Conference outdoor championship in the 5000 meters. He also came in second place in the 3000 meters at the same event. That year, he earned "All-American" honors for both the indoor mile and the outdoor 5000 meters.

By his junior year, Kirubel was consistently placing at the top. He finished in the top three in all his events at the Big 12 Conference championships. He was runner-up in the indoor mile and third in the indoor 3000 meters. Outdoors, he took second place in the 1500 meters and third in the 5000 meters. At the NCAA championships, he placed sixth in the distance medley relay and third in the 3000 meters.

In his final year at Oklahoma State, Kirubel dominated the Big 12 Conference. He won titles in the mile, 3000 meters, and 5000 meters indoors. Outdoors, he won both the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters. In his last appearance at the NCAA Men's Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Kirubel was the runner-up in the 3000 meters. He also earned another All-American honor in the distance medley relay.

Cross Country Achievements

Kirubel also excelled in cross country running during his time at Oklahoma State. In his first year, he placed seventh at the Big 12 Conference cross country championships. The next year, he improved to second place. That year, his team, the Oklahoma State Cowboys, won the team title!

His 102nd place finish at the 2012 NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship also helped his school win the NCAA team title. In his third year, he became the winner of the Big 12 Conference cross country race.

International Competitions

Kirubel Erassa has also represented the United States in international running events.

2012 International Race

On January 11, 2012, Kirubel was named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week. This was because he won the junior men’s 6 km race at the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country event. He was the only American to win an individual race there. His victory also helped the American junior men's team win a team title.

2016 International Races

In 2016, Kirubel Erassa placed 26th in the Senior 8 km race at the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country. He also ran in the Grandma's Minnesota Mile race on September 11th, where he finished 7th on the road with a time of 4:04.5.

USA National Championships

Kirubel has competed in several national championships in the United States.