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One Sentence Previews: 2022 NCAA Indoor Championships Men's 5000 Meters (D1)

  • Writer: Admin (Garrett Zatlin)
    Admin (Garrett Zatlin)
  • Mar 9, 2022
  • 3 min read

1. Adriaan Wildschutt (Florida State)

Wildschutt's jaw-dropping time of 13:09 from February suggests that he can hang with anyone in this 5k field, but his head-scratching tactics in the 3000 meters at the ACC Indoor Championships left us a bit unsure what his approach will be at the national meet.


2. Dylan Jacobs (Notre Dame)

After running a mark of 13:14 for 5000 meters, posting a 3:57 mile personal best and winning a fast (but still semi-tactical) 3k race at the ACC Indoor Championships, Jacobs has proven that his fitness can effectively translate to all kinds of race scenarios.


3. Wesley Kiptoo (Iowa State)

In theory, the numerous pace-pushers in this field will likely play into Kiptoo's strengths as a runner, but the Iowa State star has struggled tactically over the last month and his numerous losses haven't exactly been encouraging.


4. Ky Robinson (Stanford)

His statement 5k win of 13:21 at the University of Washington makes us feel confident that Robinson could emerge as a title contender, but he has only ever raced one indoor 5k (collegiately) and while he did have national meet success in the steeplechase last spring, Robinson is still fairly inexperienced all things considered.


5. Aaron Bienenfeld (Oregon)

This Oregon veteran has, for the most part, been a fairly reliable name on the national stage and while he hasn't been perfect in all of his national meet appearances, this field seemingly fits his strengths as a high-endurance specialist.


6. Abdi Nur (Northern Arizona)

Nur, in theory, has a resume that would make him a national title favorite, but translating that to an actual race is obviously the more challenging part.


7. Nico Young (Northern Arizona)

We have tons of confidence that this will race will be fast from the gun, which theoretically suits the strengths of Nico Young, but his limited success in tactical, non-time trial races is something to potentially monitor.


8. Brian Fay (Washington)

Fay seems like he's well-suited for a variety of race scenarios, although a setting which involves greater turnover and maximizes his mile speed would probably be the most beneficial development for this Washington star.


9. Cole Sprout (Stanford)

Despite his youth, Sprout seems like a strong candidate to stick with the pace, even if it's honest, but in a field as top-heavy as this, it's tough to know what his ceiling is in this race.


10. Ehab El-Sandali (Iona)

El-Sandali is the only runner in this field who has run under 13:30 twice this season, suggesting that he is peaking right on time and, in theory, emerging as the runner who is least likely to have a poor race.


11. Sam Gilman (Air Force)

Gilman is easily one of the biggest sleeper picks in this race, boasting some of the best versatility in this field and owning key wins over top-tier names this season, including Wesley Kiptoo in the 3000 meters.


12. Alex Maier (Oklahoma State)

Maier is a long distance specialist who has tons of momentum and a lot of high-level range, theoretically leaving him with a chance to be competitive in numerous race scenarios.


13. Barry Keane (Butler)

Keane is plenty familiar with the racing tendencies of Wesley Kiptoo and he is far more experienced than some people realize, making him a potential sleeper All-American pick despite his lower seed.


14. Drew Bosley (Northern Arizona)

He hasn't had a poor race all year and seems to be holding his own in events outside of the 5k, but whether or not he has the necessary fitness to hang with the top seeds in this field, especially if the race becomes tactical, is still unknown.


15. Ahmed Muhumed (Florida State)

This Florida State runner has been fairly reliable this winter, but Muhumed will need to figure out how to standout in a field of men who can replicate his best performances at will.


16. Amon Kemboi (Arkansas)

Amon Kemboi is almost always a sure-fire bet to be an All-American at the end of each season, but the 5000 meters has been very hit-or-miss for this Arkansas superstar at the national meet and in his last few attempts, it's been more misses than hits.


Final Predictions:

  1. Dylan Jacobs (Notre Dame)

  2. Abdi Nur (Northern Arizona)

  3. Nico Young (Northern Arizona)

  4. Ky Robinson (Stanford)

  5. Wesley Kiptoo (Iowa State)

  6. Adriaan Wildschutt (Florida State)

  7. Brian Fay (Washington)

  8. Sam Gilman (Air Force)


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