top of page
Search

One Sentence Previews: 2022 NCAA Outdoor Championships Men's 3k Steeple (D3)

  • Brett Haffner
  • May 25, 2022
  • 4 min read

Additional contributions by Garrett Zatlin



NOTE: Athletes are listed in order of their seed position. Final predictions are at the bottom.

1. Colin Kirkpatrick (Pomona-Pitzer)

With a national record right in his reach and an 8:46 steeplechase PR in tow, Kirkpatrick towers above the rest of this field, but will he risk an aggressive pace to pursue the national record this weekend?


2. Christian Patzka (UW-Whitewater)

Patzka has only lost to Christopher Collet in the steeplechase this year (after a fall with 700 meters left) and has taken down many national foes in the non-barrier events, potentially making him the biggest threat to Kirkpatrick in this field.


3. Ethan Domitrovich (John Carroll)

Domitrovich was having a solid outdoor season before the last chance meets, having run 9:16 in the steeplechase and 3:52 in the 1500 meters, but he recently broke out in a major way by running an 8:59 steeple PR, giving him some incredible momentum to pair with his season-long consistency.


4. Kevin Riley (Wheaton (Ill.))

While his other performances in the non-barrier event wouldn’t directly translate to the fourth seed in this event, Riley’s steeplechasing abilities are clearly his strong suit, as he ran 9:02 earlier this year and has a vast number of recent personal bests to validate his steeple improvements.


5. Christopher Collet (Wartburg)

One of the most experienced steeplechasers in the field, Collet is the reigning national runner-up in this event, has been spectacular in the non-barrier events this year and will certainly be battling Kirkpatrick for a national title as Collet probably has the best all-around resume in this field.


6. Cameron Halter (Pomona-Pitzer)

It took until his EIGHTH seasonal attempt at this event, but Halter secured his way to the national meet with a 9:03 PR, making him one of three Pomona-Pitzer athletes in the field, familiarity that could do wonders for him this weekend.


7. Connor Lancial (Wartburg)

Lancial has consistently dropped time each of his attempts in the steeplechase this season, bringing his 9:31 season debut down to 9:04 by the season’s end, progression which points to him having plenty of exciting momentum coming into this weekend.


8. Nathaniel Getachew (Pomona-Pitzer)

Capitalizing on his fifth steeplechase attempt, Getachew’s 9:04 PR and season-long consistency sets him in a good spot heading into the national meet, but he has also chipped down his 1500 meter PR down to 3:52, speed that should theoretically help him in a tactical championship setting.


9. Jared Briant (Rhodes)

Briant is a returning national qualifier in this event, having placed 11th in 2021 in the steeplechase, and while he didn't fare incredibly well last time, it's his past experience and newly-minted 9:04 PR that should help him compete for an All-American honor.


10. Jeff Candell (Washington U.)

With a 3:51 PR for 1500 meters to his name, Candell’s middle distance strength and prowess is one to watch out for in the closing stages of this steeplechase final as he may, in theory, be able to respond to moves fairly well.


11. Adam Wilkinson (Claremont-Mudd-Scripps)

The brother of D3 legend Matthew Wilkinson, Adam has made a name of his own in 2022 by running 9:04 in the steeplechase, although his success is limited to the confines of the barriers and water pits.


12. Spencer Moore (Emory)

Moore has only raced the steeplechase over the last two months, contesting the event four times, a decision that saw him go from 9:19 to 9:18 to 9:08 to 9:05, progression that could grow even stronger in a more competitive field.


13. Adam Loenser (UW-La Crosse)

A true freshman, Loenser has found his calling in the steeplechase, dropping time each attempt down to his current 9:05 PR, and while his inexperience as rookie may be a liability, the upside that comes with his youth is just as influential.


14. Cormac Peppard-Kramer (John Carroll)

The second of three John Carroll athletes in the field, Peppard-Kramer has competed well in various steeplechase scenarios, coming away with two wins this season, including the OAC Championships in a time of 9:07, the latter of which bodes well with yet another postseason scenario.


15. Connor Dolan (UW-Eau Claire)

Dolan has only raced the steeplechase twice this season, tied for the fewest in the field along with Ethan Domitrovich, which could bode extremely well for the reigning All-American in this event, who has a 9:06 PR and is probably amongst the freshest names in this field.


16. Michael Ly (Washington U.)

Earning a bid to the national meet at the Augustana Twilight Qualifier with a time of 9:07, Ly’s steeplechase abilities, along with having teammate Jeff Candell in the field, gives this Washington U. Bear a lot of positive going into this meet.


17. Ian Pierson (John Carroll)

Pierson is joined by John Carroll teammates Domitrovich and Peppard-Kramer in this race which could lead to some interesting team tactics if they can all make the national meet final in this event, something could be assisted by Pierson’s 3:49 speed for 1500 meters.


18. Dylan Goodyear (Greenville)

On paper, Goodyear has been very up and down in the steeplechase, contesting the event six times, but his slower times have all resulted in wins in this event, pointing to signs of excellent tactical prowess.


19. Kevin Christensen (TCNJ)

Christensen debuted this season in a time of 9:12 and is currently sitting with a PR of 9:07, a mark that was run at the always competitive Penn Relays, leading us to believe that the national meet may be very kind to Christensen this weekend.


20. Tyler Cernohous (Dubuque)

Cernohous has consistently dropped time in the steeplechase with each attempt, culminating with running 9:08 to clutch his way into the national meet, something that shouldn't have been a surprise given the way that he's been trending all season long.


Final Predictions:

  1. Christian Patzka (UW-Whitewater)

  2. Colin Kirkpatrick (Pomona-Pitzer)

  3. Christopher Collet (Wartburg)

  4. Ethan Domitrovich, John Carroll

  5. Jeff Candell (Washington U.)

  6. Connor Dolan (UW-Eau Claire)

  7. Jared Briant (Rhodes)

  8. Connor Lancial (Wartburg)

bottom of page