Finn Birnie
Mar 55 min
Written by Finn Birnie, edits and additional commentary via Garrett Zatlin
Editor's Note: Our TSR writers were asked to produce three sentences or less of analysis on every entrant in every distance event for every division.
Texas superstar Yusuf Bizimana is the reigning indoor 800-meter national champion and is undeniably the national title favorite heading into Boston. The Longhorn ace is a fearless competitor and knows how to get the job done anyway, anyhow. His lethal speed, seriously underrated strength (he was once a mile All-American) and exquisite tactical awareness leave his opponents with very few possibilities in terms of how they could pull off an upset.
In a decision that shocked many, Nathan Green chose to scratch the mile in favor of the 800 meters. The defending NCAA outdoor 1500-meter national champion has been dominant this season over the shorter distances, refining his speed with each race. Although this distance might be new for him at the championship level, Green is no stranger to tussling for titles.
Since his 4th place finish over 800 meters at the 2023 outdoor national meet, Abdullahi Hassan has consistently excelled. The Badger star has a wealth of experience under his belt and his unwavering consistency to run fast makes him a formidable contender. However, an unexpected defeat at the BIG 10 Indoor Championships means that Hassan lacks the momentum that he likely had hoped to hold heading into the indoor national meet.
Cyclone standout Darius Kipyego looked superb in the early stages of the season, clocking blistering times of 1:46 (800) and 2:18 (1k). However, a disappointing display at the BIG 12 Indoor Championships has left us wondering how the junior will fare as we delve deeper into the postseason. If Kipyego can rebound to the level we know he is capable of, then he will undoubtedly pose a serious threat to those vying for an All-American honor.
Sam Austin is an athlete who is not afraid to put himself in the mix and, quite often, his high-risk approach yields high rewards. The Gator star thrives off a fast pace, and if he is at his best, then he will certainly be one to keep a close eye on. While he earned an All-American honor this time last year, he must overcome the separate postseason struggles from last spring to achieve the same feat again.
This season has been a mixed bag for Penn State standout Handal Roban. An unprecedented weekend double in Boston caught our attention, yet a modest (by his standards) 3rd place finish at the BIG 10 Indoor Championships didn't yield the fireworks that we have come to anticipate from him. Despite the ups and downs, few men have been better at peaking for the postseason than Roban and this upcoming weekend, he will be build upon his bronze medal national meet result from last year.
Rivaldo Marshall's transition from the NJCAA to the NCAA ranks has been seamless. Despite racing sparingly this winter, the former JUCO standout has consistently posted fast times all season, taking down top-tier talents like Wisconsin's Abdullahi Hassan and Iowa State's Finley McLear in the process. Marshall possesses the necessary tools needed to contest for an All-American honor, though the jump from the JUCO level to the D1 national stage could prove challenging, something that was evident after an underwhelming 5th place finish at the BIG 10 Indoor Championships.
Rookie superstar Tinoda Matsatsa has taken the NCAA by storm, smashing all of our expectations. The Hoya freshman has raced with an exceptional amount of confidence and that type of fearlessness has rewarded him with a collegiate record over 1000 meters and two sub-1:47 clockings for 800 meters. While some signs of his youth and inexperience have emerged in recent high-level races, Matsatsa's impressive resume and unruffled poise positions him well for an All-American effort.
This could be the best that we have ever seen Sean Dolan look, and that's saying something for someone who has already garnered two All-American accolades. The Villanova athlete has arguably been the most consistent competitor heading into this weekend, having run under 1:47 a staggering three times this season. If Dolan goes out and executes as he has all season long, then he could well leave with a third All-American honor to add to his growing collection.
Admittedly, Virginia’s Conor Murphy hasn't quite looked like himself since his impressive 1:46 performance at the Penn State National Open back in January. Murphy is a "jack-of-all-trades," competing in both the 800 meters and the mile at a nationally competitive level. However, if he wants to return to his All-American form, then he will need to utilize his strength which is undoubtedly his greatest asset.
After a prolonged hiatus, Finley McLear is back and he's back with vengeance. The Iowa State newcomer returned to the track in style this season and has been consistently posting 800-meter times just above and below 1:47. McLear possesses a devastating change of pace, and while he may not yet be at the level that earned him a national meet silver medal in 2021, he has the talent and experience to make a significant splash in the finals.
Hampton's true freshman, Leo Davis, has made a monumental leap in fitness this season, slashing his 800-meter PR from 1:51 down to a blistering 1:47. Despite his stellar performances, signs of inexperience have occasionally hindered him in championship settings. As he faces his most high-stakes environment yet, we are left to wonder how the youngster will handle himself when the lights are brightest.
Tarees Rhoden's aggressive front-running tactics make him an exciting athlete to watch. The Clemson middle distance star deployed that approach with great success at the ACC Indoor Championships, although that hard-from-the-gun strategy has not always worked optimally for him on the national stage. If he can gauge his effort more effectively this weekend, then a top-half All-American accolade wouldn’t be out of the question.
Penn State boasts some of the nation's best 800-meter talents and youngster Carter Fitzgerald is one of their newest breakout stars. Fitzgerald has consistently produced 800-meter results in the 1:48 region all season, but a highly promising 1:47 effort at his home meet earned him a spot to the "Big Dance." While he may not be as established as his Nittany Lion counterpart Handal Roban, he'll aim to leverage his consistency to his advantage.
Nicholas Plant emerged as one of the breakout stars of the 2023 spring season and he has maintained that trajectory since. It's evident that Plant has been focused on developing both his speed and strength, something that is evidenced by his PRs in both the 600 meters and the mile. While his national meet experience may not quite match up to those listed above him, he heads to Boston with confidence after securing an encouraging silver medal at the ACC Indoor Championships in the 800 meters.
After a few injury-plagued seasons, it seems like Texas middle distance star Cole Lindhorst is back to full health. The former Falcon-turned-Longhorn has amassed numerous 1:47 clockings this winter, but what Lindhorst is truly renowned for is his ability to competitively double. That attribute will be extremely favorable for him should he successfully navigate the heats.