NEWS: Tulane Adds International Stars, Gabe Sanders Steps Down as Boston U. Coach, Corey Ihmels No Longer Distance Coach at Boise State

---

In the midst of all of the exciting distance running action, there were a small handful of headlines around the NCAA that we wanted to get everyone caught up on. Here are a few recent developments from the last month that you may have missed...

---

Tulane Adds Highly Talented Men's & Women's Distance Runners From Overseas

Tulane's ongoing pursuit of talented distance runners from overseas hasn't slowed down. In fact, their efforts have only accelerated. That's because the Green Wave men and women have added a handful of impressive athletes who will soon be joining their track and field and cross country rosters in the near future.

Let's first chat about Tharushi Karunarathna, a Sri Lankan middle distance star with absolutely lethal leg speed. The 2023 Asian Games champion over 800 meters boasts a blistering personal best of 2:00.66 at that distance and has also run 53.41 for 400 meters.

Simply put, Karunarathna is already at the fitness level that would put her in the All-American conversation over the half-mile distance -- and maybe even make her a favorite to earn that honor. However, maybe more importantly, this Sri Lankan middle distance star is still only 18 years old! With so much talent being showcased at such a young age, the upside that Karunarathna could bring to Tulane is arguably the most exciting aspect of her resume.

But while Karunarathna will be a nationally competitive talent in the middle distance events, it's East Africa native Caroline Jeptanui who will take responsibility of the longer races. That's because the Kenyan distance ace has supposedly run impressive times of 1:13 (half-marathon), 15:57 (5k) and 9:12 (3k). However, TSR has been unable to confirm those marks.

Jeptanui's addition to Tulane is massive, especially for a cross country team that was viewed as a fringe contender to advance out of the South Central region last fall.

The Green Wave women had a quietly great cross country squad in 2023, winning the American Athletic Conference team title and placing 4th at the South Central regional meet. However, more importantly, everyone from Tulane's postseason lineup is expected to return in 2024, per TFRRS. And with Jeptanui projected to add some valuable scoring, potentially as a low-stick, the chances of the Green Wave women qualifying for the NCAA XC Championships have seemingly risen even higher.

The final name to highlight is Sunil Joliya, a native of India with a head-turning steeplechase PR of 8:37! And for those who value consistency as much as they do personal bests, this future Tulane runner also ran 8:39 in the steeplechase a month before posting his PR.

Admittedly, Joliya's resume seems centered around the steeplechase and not much else. Even so, an 8:37 mark over the barriers and water pits is a great display of talent for someone who was only 21 years old at the time.

With his personal best of 8:37.15 in the steeplechase, Joliya would current sit as the eighth-fastest runner in the East region in that event this season. The soon-to-be Green Wave runner would almost certainly be favored to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships and would maybe be in contention to earn All-American honors should he make further improvements.

On the grass, Joliya remains as more of an x-factor given his lack of results on that terrain. Even so, his raw talent alone should make him an impact scorer for this team as soon as this upcoming fall.

With cross country ace Bradley Makuvire now at South Carolina, there was a clear need for greater upfront scoring in Tulane's 2024 projected lineup. But with Joliya expected to join Jack Jennings and Illia Kunin -- the latter two are returning as the team's top scorers -- there is potential that the Green Wave men could finally upend Tulsa for the American Athletic Conference team title come October.

And if they have a strong enough season overall, then Tulane could potentially position themselves to qualify for the NCAA XC Championships via the Kolas selection process.

The odds would be stacked against them, but...it's not impossible, either.

Gabe Sanders Steps Down as Director of Boston U.

Earlier this month, The Stride Report received notice from one source that Gabe Sanders, the Director of Track & Field at Boston University, had been placed, "on leave from the team until further notice."

Last week, RunnersWorld's Sarah Lorge Butler reported that Sanders was "stepping down" as Boston University's coach. Sanders spent a total of 12 years (combined) as a coach at Boston University, first serving as an assistant coach from 2008 to 2015 before assuming the Director role in 2019.

Boston University has since confirmed that report.

Sanders departs from a university known for hosting some of the most prestigious non-championship indoor track meets in the world (specifically for distance runners). Not only that, but the Terrier men and women have also consistently been one of the top three-season programs in the Patriot League alongside Navy and Army.

Coach Jordan Carpenter, the current associate head coach for Boston University, has had promising success with his men's distance program as of late. Veteran Foster Malleck has thrived in recent seasons, posting new personal bests of 3:55 (mile) and 13:48 (5k), while teammate Parker Schneider had a huge breakout season during the winter months, running 3:56 in the mile. Sophomore Freddy Collins also showed tremendous promise with times of 3:59 (5k) and 13:45 (5k).

Photo via Andrew LeMay

When asked about the possibility of Boston University elevating Coach Jordan Carpenter to the program's Director role, one source close to the team said, "I think it could happen and I’d be very happy with that. It’s being talked about, but we really have no idea what direction things will go."

Carpenter, as well as coaches Grant Cartwright and Sara Macey, will continue to lead the team for the remainder of the season.

Boise State & Coach Corey Ihmels Part Ways

Last month, Boise State announced that the Broncos' head cross country and track and field coach, Corey Ihmels, will no longer be with the team. Assistant coach Gavin O'Neal will serve as the program's interim head coach.

Boise State also noted that a "national search for a new head coach" has already begun.

After a successful stint at Iowa State, Ihmels found eve more success with his men's and women's distance programs since joining the Broncos in 2013. Over that time, the Broncos made 11 appearances at the NCAA XC Championships as a team (between men and women).

Among those 11 instances, four of them resulted in top-10 finishes on the national stage.

Standout distance stars such as Emma Bates, David Elliott, Allie Ostrander, Yusuke Uchikoshi and Kristie Schoffield all emerged as national-caliber talents under the direction of Ihmels.

The Boise State opening will likely be a highly sought-after position given the history of success with the program, it's place within a competitive conference and it's national recognition not often found among non-Power Five schools.

Sources who have spoken to The Stride Report have already mentioned that one distance coach from a nationally competitive cross country program has keen interest in the Broncos' now-open position.