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One Sentence Previews: 2022 NCAA Indoor Championships Women's 5000 Meters (D2)

  • eric.baranoski
  • Mar 9, 2022
  • 3 min read

Additional contributions by Garrett Zatlin


1. Brianna Robles (Adams State)

This Adams State star has had a stellar season thus far, finally adding a RMAC 3k title to her resume, and one could argue that no one in this field fits the 5k racing distance better than Robles does.


2. Zoe Baker (Colorado Mines)

Baker was the 3rd place finisher at least year's indoor national meet in this event, but can the Mines veteran stay with the top group in a year where she can realistically win gold?


3. Celine Ritter (Lee (Tenn.))

With the DMR being the next event (assuming she runs it) and the 3k being schedule for Saturday, is it safe to say that Ritter will be a bit more conservative in her approach for this race?


4. Katie Doucette (Western Colorado)

Doucette gained valuable aerobic strength during her outstanding cross country season (which ended in an All American finish), but will she continue her hot streak in a race where she is considered to be a realistic title contender for the first time in her career?


5. Lindsay Cunningham (Winona State)

Cunningham is coming off of an encouraging victory in the 5000 meters at the Northern Sun Conference Championships and despite being undefeated coming into this weekend, the freshman has yet to face elite-level talents who are scattered throughout this field.


6. Jessica Gockley (Grand Valley State)

A consistent and reliable presence throughout her career in the distance events, Gockley seems like an All-American lock and a very realistic podium (top-three) contender.


7. Fatima Alanis (Queens (NC))

In a season where Alanis has competed in two high-profile meets (the GVSU "Big Meet” and Camel City Elite) and fared extremely well in both instances, we do have some comfort about her ability to handle this loaded field.


8. Annika Esvelt (Seattle Pacific)

We have zero expectations for this up-and-coming distance star who has some nice momentum after she was recently crowned as the GNAC champion in both the 3k and 5k.


9. Fransiska Althaus (Adams State)

Despite living and training at high altitude (Alamosa sits at 7500 feet), Althaus has proven to be at her best and the most lethal when she's racing at sea level, with the two best times of her career coming at Boston and Seattle.


10. Molly Maskin (Colorado Mines)

Maskin has set personal bests in the two races that she has run this year, but will her lack of racing prove to be the right approach for the national meet?


11. Precious Robinson (Adams State)

She has been excellent all season long, although she fell behind a few of the nation's top talents at the RMAC Championships in the 3k, leaving us to wonder if her youth will play a role when it comes to the tactics of the national stage.


12. Gemma Rebollo (Wingate)

After looking at her great performance at the GVSU “Big Meet” and her underwhelming performances at the South Atlantic Championships, we don't know what version of Rebollo we should expect to see at the national meet.


13. Saydi Anderson (Westminster (UT))

Anderson has raced well in the past when she has come down to sea level, but she hasn't come down from altitude all season long, so is it safe to assume that the extra oxygen will benefit her this weekend?


14. Jennifer Comastri (Southern Indiana)

Comastri is having a down year (despite qualifying for the national meet), but given her extensive experience and past success, she still has a chance to replicate last year's 4th place finish in this event.


15. Kylie Anicic (Edinboro)

The four-time 2022 PSAC indoor champion and Towson transfer is having an exciting breakout season, but she hasn't exactly been at her best when facing top-tier competition this season.


16. Jenna Ramsey (Emporia State)

Probably one of the most impressive jumps in fitness from one year to another, can Ramsey prove that her rise is legit and that she belongs with the big dogs of the NCAA this weekend?


17. Kayce Rypma (Grand Valley State)

Rypma is a sneaky-good competitor who thrives in races that matter the most, as evidenced by her 6th place finish at last year's national meet, but can she do that again?


18. Cameron Hough (Southern Indiana)

Hough is already an All-American from this past cross country season, but the pressure of being an All-American on the oval is a bit different compared to earning the same honor on the grass.


19. Claire Eaton (Indianapolis)

The Belmont transfer is making her first appearance at the Big Dance, but does her experience at the D1 level and strong consistency this season make her an ace in the hole?


Final Predictions:

  1. Celine Ritter (Lee (Tenn.))

  2. Briana Robles (Adams State)

  3. Fatima Alanis (Queens (NC))

  4. Zoe Baker (Colorado Mines)

  5. Jessica Gockley (Grand Valley State)

  6. Fransiska Althaus (Adams State)

  7. Katie Doucette (Western Colorado)

  8. Precious Robinson (Adams State)

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