University of Minnesota Athletics
Plasencia, Ali Set for World Cross Country Championships
3/24/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) For Steve Plasencia, representing the United States at the international level isn't just an opportunity, it's a responsibility.
Minnesota's Director of Men's Track & Field and Cross Country will temporarily trade in the Maroon & Gold for the Red, White & Blue this weekend when he serves as the head coach for the U.S. Junior Men's Team at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships on Sunday, March 26 in Kampala, Uganda.
True freshman Hamza Ali will run for Plasencia as a member of the U.S. squad.
Representing the United States is nothing new for Plasencia - a two-time Olympian, competing in the 10,000 meters at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and again at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. Plasencia made his international coaching debut for USATF at the 2012 NACAC Cross Country Championships in Trinidad and Tobago.
Whether it's competing or coaching, the feeling of pride doesn't change for Plasencia.
"It means you're representing home. It's a great honor to represent a nation of this size with our history. People take a lot of pride in having "USA" across your chest," Plasencia said. "I think you can see the desire of our athletes, even in the professional levels, to want to represent the country…it's a big thing. It's about being proud of your home."
Plasencia and Ali are the latest runners with ties to the University of Minnesota to represent the United States in the last year.
Gopher greats Hassan Mead and Ben Blankenship both made their Olympic debuts at the 2016 Games in Rio last summer with Mead finishing 11th in the 5,000 meters and Blankenship finishing eighth in the 1,500 meters. Earlier this month, true freshman Nick Rink finished eighth at the 2017 NACAC Cross Country Championships in Boca Raton, Fla., helping the U.S. Under-20 Men's Team win a gold medal.
The countless examples of college competitors at the international level is no surprise to Plasencia - especially considering he's one of the examples. Before a pair of Olympic appearances, Plasencia was a Big Ten champion and an All-American for the Gophers under legendary coach Roy Griak.
"In our college system, we're building athletes and it's always great when you have someone like a Hassan Mead, a Ben Blankenship or a Harun Abda come through your program - guys that can compete on that next level. That's where most of the representation of the United States comes from," Plasencia said. "It's great to really be on the front lines and see just how good we are in track & field and cross country - competing against the best in the world."
"The NCAA is where a lot of our international guys get their start. The commitment that we have and the system that we have that allows guys to compete in track and field and cross country at a college level. Our sport's system is really great. Where else would you be? Kids all over the world want to flock to the NCAA system because of that."
With more than 20 years of coaching at the University of Minnesota following an elite running career, Plasencia knows what it will take to compete at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. And he knows it won't be easy.
"I expect the prescription for the race is going to be pain for the guys" Plasencia said. "It's going to go out hard, and it's going to be tough. It's going to be a relentless effort."
Players Mentioned
