KEY
(Unranked): Was not ranked the week before
(#/#):
First number indicates the change in a runner's ranking from week prior
Second number indicates where the runner was ranked last week
15. Benoit Campion, American International (Unranked)
The freshman from American International has posted some impressive times early on in 2019. He ran 8:27 before Christmas, 4:11 two weeks ago, 1:53 last week, and then improved his mile time to 4:07 this past weekend...wow. The Yellow Jackets may have lost Ackeen Colley who transferred to Oklahoma, but they have found another strong talent in Campion.
14. Felix Wammetsberger, Queens (N.C.) (-1 / 13)
We saw Wammetsberger move down in distance quite a bit this past weekend as he ran the 800 at the Liberty Kickoff. His time of 1:58 is nowhere near what he has run before (1:52) and it's unclear as to why he ran as slow as he did.
13. Dennis Mbuta, Grand Valley State (Unranked)
The GVSU sophomore opened up his season in a time of 1:50 and followed that up with a 4:11 mile two weeks ago. Between his early season success and untapped potential that comes with being as young as he is, giving Mbuta a Top 15 spot was a no-brainer.
12. Josh Hoskinson, Colorado Mines (+3 / 15)
Hoskinson was apart of the DMR lineup that the Orediggers put together at their home meet this past weekend. Hoskinson was the anchor leg and more than anything, it reminds us that he used to be a miler. His speed could potentially play a major role at the end of a championship race.
11. Marcelo Laguera, CSU-Pueblo (0 / 11)
Idle.
10. Grant Colligan, Colorado Mines (0 / 10)
Idle.
9. Leakey Kipkosgei, American International (0 / 9)
Idle.
8. Shaquille Dill, St. Augustines (0 / 8)
We finally saw Dill open up his track season two weekends ago. He finished 4th in the 800 meters at the Keydet Invitational, but was the first D2 athlete across the line in 1:55.40. It’s not the fastest time to open with, but Dill opened in a similar time in 2017 and went on to win his first national title. He also helped St. Augustines finish 4th in the 4x400 in a time of 3:16.82.
7. Brett Meyer, Fort Hays State (0 / 7)
It’s the third weekend in a row for Meyer in terms of racing and after running 2:26 for 1000 meters, it's hard to ignore how much talent he has. This past weekend, Meyer ran 4:06.08 for a strong 2nd place finish behind Wichita State's Zack Penrod.
The Fort Hays State senior has continued to pad his 2019 resume and build momentum as we head into the month of February. The mile is likely Meyer’s strongest event and he’s got a legitimate shot at taking home the crown in March.
6. Elias Gedyon, Adams State (0 / 6)
Idle.
5. Enael Woldemichael, Grand Valley State (0 / 5)
Idle.
4. Dustin Nading, Western Oregon (0 / 4)
Idle.
3. Zach Panning, Grand Valley State (0 / 3)
Idle.
2. Sydney Gidabuday, Adams State (0 / 2)
Gidabuday headed east this past weekend to the Dr. Sanders Columbia Challenge where he was able to get into the fastest section of the 3000 meters. For anyone that was wary of his altitude converted time of 7:54, he put that to bed rather quickly. The Adams State star ran 7:54.77 which was good enough for 6th place overall in a field stacked with professionals and no other collegiates.
1. Thomas Staines, CSU-Pueblo (0 / 1)
Staines is on another level right now. Two weeks ago, the mid-distance star went down to Albuquerque, New Mexico and ran 1.37 seconds off the World Record for 600 meters. He may have finished 2nd behind USC's Isaiah Jewett (1:15.95), but it still shows us that Staines is up for anything this indoor season. His time of 1:16.38 is the third fastest time in the world at the moment.
This past weekend, the CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolves ran a DMR lineup which earned them a 2nd place finish in a time of 10:11.50. Staines was the anchor leg for a strong CSUP team that should only get stronger as the season goes on.
Rankings broken down in each event...
800
1. Thomas Staines (CSU-Pueblo)
2. Shaquille Dill (St. Augustines)
3. Leakey Kipkosgei (American International)
4. Dennis Mbuta (Grand Valley State)
5. Hugo Arlabosse (Franklin Pierce)
Mile
1. Dustin Nading (Western Oregon)
2. Elias Gedyon (Adams State)
3. Brett Meyer (Fort Hays State)
4. Felix Wammetsberger (Queens (N.C))
5. Benoit Campion (American International)
3000
1. Sydney Gidabuday (Adams State)
2. Zach Panning (Grand Valley State)
3. Enael Woldemichael (Grand Valley State)
4. Grant Colligan (Colorado Mines)
5. Marcelo Laguera (CSU-Pueblo)
5000
1. Sydney Gidabuday (Adams State)
2. Zach Panning (Grand Valley State)
3. Enael Woldemichael (Grand Valley State)
4. Marcelo Laguera (CSU-Pueblo)
5. Josh Hoskinson (Colorado Mines)