Dressel returns after memorable trip to China

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Cross country took John Dressel of North Spokane WA to three different continents in the past two years, but now that he’s back from last weekend’s IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, China he’s ready to dive into track season. (Photo, above, courtesy Paul Merca)

Dressel, a three-time Foot Locker finalist and Colorado recruit, was the top finisher for the U.S. junior team with 27^th place. He was two spots ahead of Sky View UT senior Conner Mantz.

On Monday morning, on a stop-over in Seattle on his way home, Dressel said he was going to learn from his international experience.

“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “We didn’t do as much touring around the area, but it was still awesome to be there and just be able to experience it.”

Dressel wanted to place a little bit higher but was pleased with the effort. He and Mantz were joined by five Coloradans -- Cerake Geberkidane (Denver East) of Oklahoma State University, Eric Hamer of Palmer Ridge CO, Paul Roberts of Lyons CO and Paul Miller (Poudre) of the University of Colorado.

It was a looped course, somewhat similar to the Portland Meadows layout. There were six obstacles, lots of turns and an uphill straightaway that lasted for 800 meters.

“The only place to build momentum was going uphill,” Dressel said.

Dressel decided to be somewhat conservative early and move up in the second half of the race.

“I knew it was going to go out pretty fast because the (path) was not too wide,” he said. “Cerake took it out fast and I tried to stay as close to him as possible. About half way through I passed Cerake and I was just plugging after that.”

Dressel finished about an inch behind Uganda’s third runner, Robert Chemonges. Mantz, also a three-time Foot Locker finalist, was three seconds behind.

Dressel first wore the U.S. uniform overseas last year at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country Meet in Scotland. This year, after finishing in the top six at the U.S. Cross Country Championships junior men’s race, Dressel got to compete in Colombia in a Pan Am Championship meet before going to China.

Guiyang is a city at 4,500 feet halfway between Hong Kong and Tibet. It’s somewhat remote from the outside world, social media is mostly banned, and it’s not often on the beaten path of tourists.

“It was very different,” Dressel said. “The foot was way different than the Chinese food we’re used to. It was nothing like your Panda Express. It was definitely more authentic.”

That didn’t mean it wasn’t good. It was just strange and there was no way to read the menu without the ability to read Chinese.

Also, Dressel said that the Chinese people that the team encountered were not shy about wanting to take photos. He took that as a sign that the people of Guiyang had rarely, if ever, seen an American before in person.

“People were taking photos of us at dinner,” he said. “There was something about being from the U.S. that was significant to them. After the meet one of the athletes gave a (Chinese) volunteer a USA jacket and they were freaking out. They were so grateful to receive something from one of us.”

Fortunately there was a Wal-Mart near the hotel. Yes, a Wal-Mart.

Dressel said that the team stocked up on bottled water and Chinese candy at the Wal-Mart – as well as other items that were easy to identify.

Coming back home, Dressel hopes to pick up where he left off in track season. He ran a solid time of 4:16 in a season-opening 1,600 meters in some buffeting winds prior to his trip to China.

“I feel pretty good,” Dressel said. “I’ve got track season now. My mindset all along was that I’m training for cross (events) but the mile repeats workouts I was doing would benefit me for track also. The main thing was just to take one race at a time and make sure I take care of my body.”

Dressel said the focus of his outdoor season would be the mile.

He’s also got an eye on what comes next, when he joins the NCAA champion Colorado cross country team in August.

“I think these international experiences will help down the road, for big meets like NCAAs,” Dressel said. “It helps you know where you’re at in the world in terms of cross country. It shows you how much fitness you have right now compared to others around the globe. It’s cool to have these opportunities and to meet new people from other countries.

“Hopefully one day I’ll see the same kids I saw over the past week again.”