Maura Beattie
Mar 6, 20235 min
Written by Maura Beattie, edits and additional commentary via Garrett Zatlin
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Our TSR writers were asked to produce three sentences or less of analysis on every entrant in every distance event for every division. We will be slowly rolling out these previews over the next week leading up to the indoor national meets. Stay tuned!
NC State’s Katelyn Tuohy could be in for a busy weekend between the 3k, the 5k and maybe even the DMR if the Wolfpack women get ambitious. As the current NCAA record holder in this event with an 8:35 (3k) PR, Tuohy can probably win gold in whichever way she likes. However, if she does attempt the triple, then a more tactical, quick-finish race may benefit her after a potentially grueling Friday evening.
Since arriving on Alabama's campus, Hilda Olemomoi has more than made a name for herself. Her indoor track resume from this season speaks for itself and based on her consistent top-three finishes meet after meet, another top-three result over 3000 meters isn’t out of the question. However, we'll be curious to see how this still-young, stamina-based star handles a tactical scenario if that's how this race unfolds.
The coaching staff at West Virginia didn’t have star Ceili McCabe race too many individual events this year -- and that relative freshness could play into her favor. The Mountaineer star is coming off of a big 3k win at the BIG 12 Indoor Championships, defeating fellow national meet qualifier Taylor Roe (who was tripling back). Pairing that win with her incredible 3k victory back in December makes McCabe a realistic title contender if Tuohy has an "off" day.
Two years ago, Notre Dame’s Olivia Markezich finished 13th at the indoor national meet over 3000 meters -- but she is a very different runner now. Her 8:50 (3k) and narrow runner-up finish back in December was wildly impressive and it's been nice to see her work on her speed via the mile/DMR anchors lately. Again, Tuohy is overwhelmingly favored, but some could see Markezich as an outside title contender.
Utah’s Simone Plourde initially built her reputation in the middle distances, specifically the mile, in years prior, but has been on a roll this season in the 3k, running an 8:53 PR. This will only be Plourde's fourth time ever contesting the 3k, but it seems like the Utah star has found her signature indoor event. This race allows her to showcase her already-known foot-speed and improved strength from this past fall.
It’s been somewhat of an up-and-down season for NC State’s Samantha Bush. In theory, the veteran has the speed, endurance and experience to finish among the top-three. However, we're hoping that a return to the 3k distance will allow her to regroup after a few modest (but still solid) mile efforts throughout February.
We have all of the confidence in the world that Harvard’s Maia Ramsden can do something special in the 3k. Not because of her 8:54 (3k) PR, but because she dropped a massive 4:30 mile PR a few weeks ago. With turnover like that, this Kiwi ace is someone you don’t want around if this race turns into a sprint for the finish.
Alabama’s Mercy Chelangat has one of the faster 3k PRs in this field, having run 8:53 (3k) back in 2022. But if this race turns into a mad dash for the finish, the Crimson Tide veteran may have some challenges given her strength-based, limited-speed background. That's why you shouldn't be surprised if you see Chelangat going to the front of the pack in the first-half of this 3k final.
The 3k isn’t necessarily Kelsey Chmiel’s primary event as she excels in the longer distances like the 5k and 10k, but that doesn’t mean that she can’t be a contender in this field. The NC State ace may benefit from a "push-from-the-gun" racing style to take the kick out of her competitors early-on. That, in turn, would allow her to lean on her superior aerobic strength.
Oregon State’s Kaylee Mitchell isn’t always the most consistent in terms of finishing times, but she also does a good job of putting herself in the mix of things as far as positioning is concerned. That skill will be key to how the Beaver ace races amongst a deeply talented field.
Amina Maatoug is lethal. The rising star has some serious range and if this race plays to her strengths, one involving the need for a strong kick, then look no further than the 2:03 (800) runner to pick off some names down the homestretch. It also doesn't hurt that she has proven to be an effective doubler.
This will be the third appearance for Grace Fetherstonhaugh at the NCAA Indoor Championships. The Oregon State runner will need to tap into that experience if she wants to improve upon previous her performances. The good news is that she's been super consistent this winter and has built up plenty of familiarity racing against loaded fields.
Alex Carlson could make a big statement at the indoor national meet for the Scarlet Knights. She’s doing the mile/3k double and has the potential to catch her competition by surprise, something she’s done countless times this season and even as a rookie. The only question, however, is wondering how well she rebounds from the mile, especially if she qualifies for the finals on day two.
It’s not going to be easy for Oklahoma State’s Taylor Roe, the defending 3k champion, to repeat last year's magic. Is she going to employ the same tactics that won her last year’s title? We're not sure, but in terms of positioning and racing IQ, very few collegiate women are better than Roe.
Ever since BYU’s Sadie Sargent ran a 4:35 (mile) PR at the Razorback Invite, she’s been on absolute fire. Stepping up in distance to the 3k, the Cougar junior was able to chop 14 seconds off of her previous personal best, recording an 8:57 (3k) mark. She may be seeded a bit further back, but she's not an underdog and arguably just as dangerous as a few women seeded above her.
She wasn’t expected to race at the NCAA Indoor Championships, but Lexy Halladay-Lowry has answered the call following Parker Valby's medical scratch. The BYU sophomore has momentum on her side right now after running personal bests of 4:34 (mile) and 8:57 (3k) in less than 24 hours. In fact, it's fair to say that relative to her early-season performances, Halladay-Lowry is probably peaking better than most other women in this field.