First Thoughts: Kimberley May Drops 4:28 Mile Effort, Gladys Chepngetich Runs Monster 2:39 (1k) PR & Colorado Men Earn Sub-4:00 Mile Conversions

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Despite already seeing phenomenal performances at the Boston U. Season Opener back in December, the NCAA indoor track season does not truly kick-off until this weekend. In 2025, this Friday and Saturday should be the first time where athletes from all across the country put forth serious efforts at a variety of different meets.

Of course, it's not like competition has been completely paused over the last month. In fact, there have been a small (but notable) handful of distance running performances that deserve our attention.

So with that, let's dive into our very first "First Thoughts" article of 2025!

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Providence's Kimberley May Runs 4:28 (Mile) While Teammate Alex Millard Runs 4:35

Throughout last year, it was abundantly clear that Harvard's Maia Ramsden was the best miler in the NCAA -- and truthfully, it wasn't even close. However, what was also clear was that Providence star Kimberley May was the second-best collegiate miler in the country.

And now, with Ramsden gone, the women's mile national title looks like it is May's to lose this winter.

Sure enough, the Friar ace kicked-off her indoor track campaign with a monstrous 4:28 mile effort this past weekend! May destroyed a field that was headlined entirely by her fellow teammates. And despite having to face fellow teammate and 4:05 (1500) runner Alex Millard, it was still the Kiwi phenom who cruised to the victory and a ridiculously fast time.

But for as good as that result was, it's hard to be too surprised. May did, after all, run 4:27 in the mile on two different occasions last winter. Since then, she has been downright dominant, expanding her range and improving her overall aerobic strength. That was plenty evident this past fall.

If May was able to drop a huge mile time of 4:28 in a rust-busting race, then what can she do when she's actually pushed? She'll almost certainly set a new PR later this winter and, in our eyes, it's not crazy to suggest that she could break the NCAA record of 4:24 as well.

As for Millard, her 4:35 mile time is a solid effort, although it's fair to say that she's capable of more. She did, after all, run 4:05 for 1500 meters prior to joining Providence. Even so, expect stronger results from the English distance star once she reaches the 3000-meter and 5000-meter distances. In theory, she is better suited for those events.

Clemson's Gladys Chepngetich Runs Monster 1k Mark of 2:39.99, Now Sits at NCAA #3 All-Time

The Clemson women have garnered plenty of attention as of late, especially with the raw fitness shown by their newest "Big Three" of Gladys Chepngetich, Judy Kosgei and Silvia Jelelgo. Sure enough, the headlines didn't stop for the Tigers after those same three women attacked the 1000-meter distance this past weekend, with the former name post a jaw-dropping time.

Chepngetich was already viewed as an outstanding middle distance talent after she ran 1:59 for 800 meters last spring. However, to see the Tiger ace produce a brilliant mark of 2:39.99 for 1000 meters was not on our bingo card this winter.

With that result, Chepngetich is now the third woman in collegiate history to run under the 2:40 (1k) barrier. Only Danae Rivers in 2019 (2:38.58) and Wilma Nielsen in 2023 (2:38.95) have run faster.

Admittedly, it's hard to say that this performance changes our opinion of Chepngetich in any dramatic way. There have never been any questions about her raw talent. From a pure fitness standpoint, she can outrun a handful of the nation's very best. Instead, we're looking to see greater consistency on the national stage and an improved understanding of tactics.

Even so, it's clear that Chepngetich still has further room for growth. She has seemingly picked up right where she left off at the end of her freshman year. And truthfully, we weren't sure what to expect after she had a less exciting cross country campaign this past fall.

Behind her, Judy Kosgei ran a great time of 2:41 (1k) while Jelelgo ran 2:45.

Kosgei's performance is a very encouraging step in the right direction. She's talented enough to qualify for this year's indoor national meet and maybe even contend for an All-American honor. However, throughout last year, the former South Carolina runner proved to be far better during the spring months than the winter months.

Thankfully, a 2:41 mark for 1000 meters showcases greater comfort with the indoor oval, at least in our eyes. And for someone who is at her best in the 1500-meter and mile distances, that's extremely important, especially given how tactical that distance can be.

Colorado's Christopher Cherry (3:58) & Kole Mathison (3:59) Earn Sub-4:00 Mile Altitude Conversions

The Colorado men went to work this past weekend on their home track. There, they had many of their top distance runners toe the line for the mile. And despite many of those athletes having more aerobic-centric skillsets, the end result(s) showed plenty of promise.

Christopher Cherry, one of the men who joined Coach Sean Carlson by transferring out of Tennessee, emerged as the victor on Saturday, earning a strong 4:05 mile time. Behind him was sophomore standout Kole Mathison who ran 4:06.

That race, of course, was held at altitude. And after conversions, Cherry had run a quietly strong time of 3:58 while Mathison had earned a 3:59 mark.

For someone like Cherry, that feels like a fairly substantial performance. The former Volunteer had shown promise prior to joining the Buffaloes, but a 3:58 mile time -- even if it came via conversion -- feels like a step up. And when you realize that he ran 7:54 for 3000 meters at the Boston U. Season Opener, you can begin to see how Cherry may be building sneaky-good momentum right now.

As for Mathison, a 3:59 mile conversion is also encouraging. The redshirt freshman is clearly more of a long distance talent based on his cross country results and his steeplechase prowess. And despite the mile being more of a middle distance event, running 3:59 via conversion is actually a greater display of strength than it is speed (given that he ran that time at altitude).

Admittedly, neither of those performances are going to dramatically alter our opinion of either Cherry or Mathison. Even so, this past weekend was a strong start to the season for both men and it should set them up for further success in the coming months.

Also, keep an eye out for Ethan Edgeworth. The true freshman has been sneaky-good with the Buffaloes, earning a 4:00 mile conversion in the same race as Cherry and Mathison. He seemingly holds a ridiculous amount of upside and potential, especially when you review his pedigree from the prep level.

Quick Hits

• Michigan's Trent McFarland ran a 3:58 (mile) PR this past weekend, a positive step in the right direction for a guy who had already shown great promise. Remember, McFarland posted times of 1:48 (800) and 3:40 (1500) last year as a rookie and won the BIG 10 title at the metric mile distance. The Wolverine sophomore is clearly still at/near the top of his peak fitness and is seemingly positioned to make further improvements this winter. Don't sleep on a high-upside underclassman who has showcased impressive in-race execution.

  
  

• Penn's Edwin Klanke ran a 3:59 mile PR back on December 7th at the Penn Opener. That feels like a fairly big breakthrough for a guy who has always been good, but had seemingly plateaued in the middle distance events. However, with back-to-back PRs now on his resume (including an 8:13 effort for 3k from this past weekend), Klanke should be a key name to watch once we reach the Ivy League Indoor Championships.

  
  

• Really solid 4:38 (mile) effort from Bieke Schipperen this past weekend. She had a fantastic fall campaign and has seemingly translated that success to the indoor oval. She is almost certainly better at the longer distances given what she recently did on the grass, so look for her to run a fast 3000-meter time in the near future.

  
  

• Over the last five weeks, if you exclude the Boston U. Season Opener, a total of four men have run under 1:50 for 800 meters. Brendan Herger (Michigan), Niko Schultz (Nebraska), Gabe Nash (Nebraska) and Max Armstrong (Ole Miss) all ran 1:49 for the half-mile distance. Don't be surprised if one of those men ends up building on their recent momentum and becoming a national-caliber name by late February.