MIRAMAR, FL – Queens’ junior Michael Crouch (Yucca Valley, Calif., Yucca Valley) took second in the 5,000-meters at the under-23 North American, Central American, Caribbean (NACAC) Track & Field Championships – scoring eight points en route to Team USA winning the team title. Mexico’s Diego Borrego won the gold medal with his 14:32.90 finish, while Crouch took the silver in 14:33.33. The USA’s Mohamed Ige took bronze at 14:38.95.
Passing 1600-meters in 4:35 and 3200-meters in 9:12 in hot, humid conditions, the pace then slowed before Crouch took the lead after the bell. His finishing kick of 54 seconds over the last 400 meters was not enough to hold off a late-charging Borrego over the last 50-meters.
“This is fantastic for Michael to gain international experience,” said coach Scott Simmons of Crouch’s first Team USA selection. “Having a very different championship race experience and the opportunity to compete for the United States in international competition will only help his long-term development as an athlete.”
Event 36 Men 5000 Meter Run
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Name Team Seed Finals
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Finals
1 Borrego, Diego A Mexico 13:27.26 14:32.90
2 Crouch, Mike United States 13:40.89 14:33.33
3 Ige, Mohamed United States 13:55.56 14:38.95
4 Mireles, Jose G. Mexico 14:26.92 14:39.75
5 Rodriguez, Adrian Puerto Rico 14:12.12 15:04.05
6 Carella, Pedro Dominican Republic 15:08.10 15:38.72