(Weini Kelati-New Mexico)
Here is the second segment of our indoor preview, distance. It will be tough going this indoor season with so many big names and high level talent competing. Expect some great performances and races this season.
DISTANCE
In the 800 there is major turnover from last season. Bryce
Hoppel of Kansas and Marco Arop of Mississippi State have both turned pro in
preparation for the Summer Olympics. Devin Dixon who was the star majority of the
season. He ran a American collegiate record time of 1:45.27 as a season debut
in 2019 and was able to defend his SEC title later in the indoor season. He has
fallen short at the championship meet and that is the only piece of hardware he
is missing. Expect for Dixon to have learned from last season and convincingly
win the NCAA title.
The mile will see the return of a surprise champion in
Geordie Beamish of Northern Arizona. The all world distance program specializes
at preparing its athlete for championship meets. Beamish stunned the field and
favorite Olive Hoare of Wisconsin. Hoare will look to finally add a title to
his illustrious career. Yared Nuguse of Notre Dame won the outdoor metric mile
and will be a strong factor this indoor season.
The top 3,000 and 5,000 returnee is Joe Klecker of Colorado.
Klecker finished 3rd in the 3k and 2nd in the 5k last
indoor season. He also finished second at the NCAA Cross Country championship
this past November. Edwin Kurgat of Iowa State is the man who beat him and will
be a threat in either event. It remains to be seen if Klecker will focus on one
event or two but after a strong attempt last indoor season we should not be
surprised to see him attempt a repeat.
In the women’s 800 Danae Rivers of Penn State returns as
defending champion. Rivers had a disappointing showing last outdoor season and
did not make the finals. Rivers will likely be eager to defend her title to
prove that she has not fallen off. Nia Akins of Penn will be a strong challenger
after having a strong 2019 campaign that saw her almost win the outdoor title.
The mile on the women’s side is a wide-open race. With
several big names turning to the professional ranks and the previous indoor
champion graduating it remains to be seen who would even be competing in the
mile come championship time. The top returnee from last indoor season is Carina
Viljoen of Arkansas who will be relied upon to continue their dominant team
title streak. Also keep an eye on Lotte Black of Rhode Island and Dillon
McClintock of Michigan State.
The 3,000- and 5,000-meter races have a bevy of big names.
The 3k’s top returnee Taylor Werner of Arkansas will be challenged by the
dynamic Champion from New Mexico in Weini Kelati. Kelati competed in both the
3k and 5k last indoor season earning All-American honors in both. Kelati had a
better result outdoors where she claimed the 10,000-meter title.
Both brought home silver medals last indoor season Werner in
the 3k and Kelati in the 5k. Alicia Monson of Wisconsin is the returning
champion in the 5,000. Monson also competed in both races having clearly better
success in the 5k. Dani Jones of Colorado enters the discussion after having
won the 5,000 at the Outdoor meet. Now as you can see, a bevy of names to
compete for the titles. All with the ability to win.
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