MIHS senior Powell sets national cross country record

Islander unleashes epic mark in California.

By Reporter Staff • September 24, 2024 11:30 am
Mercer Island High School’s Owen Powell, right, inches out Josiah Tostenson of Oregon on Sept. 21 at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic in Irvine, California. Photo courtesy of Ken Martinez, westcoastxc
Mercer Island High School’s Owen Powell, right, inches out Josiah Tostenson of Oregon on Sept. 21 at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic in Irvine, California. Photo courtesy of Ken Martinez, westcoastxc

It was ultra-close at the finish line, and Mercer Island High School’s Owen Powell inched out his opponent to set a national cross country high school three-mile record.

On Sept. 21 at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic at Great Park in Irvine, California, the Islander senior crossed the finish line with a stunning time of 13:30.3 as second-place senior Josiah Tostenson from Crater High School in Oregon notched a sterling mark of 13:30.5.

Leo Young of Newbury Park High School in California (and now running for Stanford University) held the previous top prep national time with a 13:38.1 from 2021, according to DyeStat’s X post.

“Take the risk or lose the chance,” Powell said of his epic performance in the Doug Speck Sweepstakes race.

Regarding the national record, he added, “It feels good, but that wasn’t my goal. I was just trying to compete, but getting the record was a nice bonus.”