Koech Wins in Eugene; Leads Five Other Coloradans to Tokyo Team USA Spots

Results

The 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships, held from July 31 to August 3 in Eugene, Oregon, showcased elite performances from athletes across the country. USATF Colorado athletes made their mark at the prestigious event, earning top finishes and multiple qualifications for the World Championships, set to take place next month in Tokyo. 

A total of 36 athletes from Colorado competed in the championships, with four earning spots on Team USA for the upcoming World Championships and two more achieving provisional qualifications.

COLORADO TOP PERFORMERS IN EUGENE EARNING TOKYO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS

Several Colorado athletes finished in the top three of their respective events, earning Team USA World Championships spots:

Jonah Koech (1500m) – 1st Place | 3:30.17 (Meet Record)
Koech stunned the competition, setting a new meet record and finishing first in the 1500m, earning himself a spot on Team USA for the World Championships. His time was a career best and makes him the #7 fastest American all-time.

Elise Cranny (5000m) – 2nd Place | 15:14.26  &  2nd Place - (10,000m) | 31:44.24
Cranny followed up with a stellar performance in the 5000m, finishing second and securing her qualification for the World Championships in Tokyo. In addition to her performance in the 5000m, Cranny placed second in the 10,000m, securing her second spot on Team USA.

Daniel Michalski (3000m Steeplechase) – 2nd Place | 8:26.77
Michalski’s impressive finish in the 3000m steeplechase earned him second place and a provisional spot on Team USA for the World Championships. He will need to run faster than 8:16.00 before August 24 to unlock his entry.

Sage Hurta-Klecker (800m) – 3rd Place | 1:59.48
Hurta-Klecker clinched a third-place finish in the 800m, securing her World Championships qualification.

Josette Andrews (5000m) – 3rd Place | 15:15.01
Andrews claimed third-place finish in the 5000m, earning her spot on Team USA for Tokyo.

Benard Keter (3000m Steeplechase) – 3rd Place | 8:29.00
Keter finished third in the 3000m steeplechase, and while his qualification is provisional, he remains in contention for a spot at the World Championships. He will need to run faster than 8:16.00 before August 24 to unlock his entry.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

While many athletes earned World Championships spots, others showcased impressive performances in highly competitive fields:

Andrew Hunter (5000m) – 4th Place | 13:27.16
Hunter finished just outside the top three but ran a solid race in the 5000m.

Yared Nuguse (1500m) – 5th Place | 3:31.34
Nuguse also placed fifth in the 1500m, demonstrating his elite level of competition.

Olivia Markezich (3000m Steeplechase) – 5th Place | 9:14.26
Markezich came in fifth in the 3000m steeplechase, continuing her strong performances on the national stage. Her time of 9:14.26 was a career best.

Parker Wolfe (5000m) – 6th Place | 13:28.20
Wolfe finished in sixth in the 5000m, adding another solid performance to USATF Colorado's remarkable results.

With multiple athletes qualifying for the World Championships, Colorado continues to be a powerhouse in track & field, producing athletes capable of competing with the best in the world. As the countdown to the World Championships in Tokyo begins, USATF Colorado athletes will be looking to build on these impressive results and represent the U.S. with pride on the world stage.

The complete Colorado results scoreboard can be found here.