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BREAKING: New Mexico Phenom Habtom Samuel to Turn Pro

  • Writer: Admin (Garrett Zatlin)
    Admin (Garrett Zatlin)
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read

Earlier today, New Mexico superstar Habtom Samuel announced via Instagram that he will be turning pro.


The Stride Report has confirmed with Samuel that he has not yet officially signed a professional contract. The Lobo superstar previously held a "Name, Image & Likeness" (NIL) deal with Hoka during his time in the NCAA.



Samuel, who was announced as a finalist for The Bowerman last week, initially told media at the NCAA Outdoor Championships last month that he would return for the 2026 NCAA cross country season.


A native of Eritrea, Samuel ends his collegiate career as a five-time NCAA champion between all three seasons of competition (one via cross country, one via the indoor 5k, one via the outdoor 5k and two via the 10k). In total, he has collected 13 All-American honors.


The aerobic-centric distance star also produced the NCAA outdoor 5000-meter record earlier this spring in a time of 12:57 to pair with his NCAA indoor two-mile record of 8:11.47 from the Millrose Games. He also sits at NCAA #3 all-time over 10,000 meters with a 26:53 mark.



Samuel's departure from the NCAA is a massive one as it changes the NCAA landscape both in terms of the cross country individual title and the cross country team title.


The New Mexico men were expected to be favorites (or one of the favorites) to win NCAA gold as a team this coming November. With Samuel, the Lobos would have returned four top-20 All-Americans from last fall.


However, with Samuel's departure, the path to the top of the podium will be noticeably more challenging for New Mexico. Both Oklahoma State and Iowa State are expected to be major threats for the national title (again) in the coming months.


Samuel leaving the NCAA also means that we are guaranteed to see a new individual national champion at the NCAA XC Championships this fall. Names such as Rocky Hansen (Wake Forest), Solomon Kipchoge (Washington State), Elsingi Kipruto (Louisville), Brian Musau (Oklahoma State) and others are expected to battle for individual gold come November.




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