One Sentence Previews: 2022 NCAA Outdoor Championships Women's 5k (D2)

Additional contributions by Garrett Zatlin

Click here to see performance list

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

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1. Roisin Flanagan (Adams State)

Boasting a lethal blend of speed and strength, Flanagan is the overwhelming title favorite in this field and is back for redemption as she only placed 3rd in this same event last year.

2. Allie Ludge (Grand Valley State)

This could be a fairy tale ending for Ludge who not only has the most experience in this field and is not only having the best season of her career, but will also be racing on her home track.

3. Fatima Alanis (Queens (NC))

Alanis is a very aerobically gifted runner who will likely thrive in this loaded 5k field which features other women who play into her strength-based, all-out racing tendencies.

4. Brianna Robles (Adams State)

A true grinder and someone who is going to make you work really hard in order to beat her, Robles is looking to sweep both the indoor and outdoor 5k titles all while having an understanding of what racing approach we'll see from teammate Roisin Flanagan.

5. Lindsay Cunningham (Winona State)

Cunningham functions at her best when she's facing the top group of names and when you look at the high-level success that she has had this year (Drake Relays 5k winner, Northern Sun 10k winner), it's hard to see a scenario where she doesn't at least become an All-American.

6. Jennifer Sandoval (Azusa Pacific)

Sandoval's preferred racing style of going all-out for the win and never looking back pairs well with the racing tendencies of other women in this field, although her extensive experience may be the difference maker.

7. Fiona Hawkins (Adams State)

Despite being a true freshman, Hawkins is already a two-time All-American and has seemingly run at a national-caliber level in every any distance event, although her last few 1500 meter races haven't been super encouraging, leaving us to wonder if her move up to the 5k will play more heavily into her favor.

8. Celine Ritter (Lee (Tenn.))

There is a legitimate argument that the 1500 meters is her best event, but never count out Ritter who has a knack for hanging around and striking at the right time, boasting veteran racing experience that half of the contenders don't have.

9. Annika Esvelt (Seattle Pacific)

It's been a very strong season from top to bottom for Annika Esvelt who ran everything from the 1500 meters on up and while she may be better in the 10k in the future, the 5k seems to be the sweet spot for her.

10. Jessica Gockley (Grand Valley State)

A reliable veteran with a real presence in the longer events who can't be ignored, Gockley hasn’t raced a lot this season, but when she has, she’s been the real deal, effectively validating the idea of quantity vs quality.

11. Klaudia O’Malley (Grand Valley State)

Similar to eighth seed Celine Ritter, O’Malley is very familiar with the women in this field and with multiple All-American performances on her resume, this Laker standout will surely put herself in a position to score points...right?

12. Morgan Hykes (Adams State)

With personal bests this season in the 800 meters on up, and the fact that this is her only race of the weekend, Hykes has a realistic shot of earning a top-eight finish, especially with the Grizzlies likely being able to control the pacing in certain parts of this race.

13. Katie Doucette (Western Colorado)

A true long distance talent who boasts recent All-American success on the grass and the indoor oval, Doucette hasn't had quite the same season that she had in the winter, but she has still been exceptional and she has a clear understanding of how certain women in this field will race.

14. Alexa Leppelmeier (Walsh)

After the season that Leppelmeier is having, where she has seemingly earned a PR in every race, the rising Walsh star has a good chance of earning her second All-American honor in the 5k, especially when you remember that she successfully completed the mile/3k All-American double during the indoor national meet.

15. Hannah Thompson (Findlay)

Since transferring from Malone, Thompson has become a better version of herself, but will her extensive experience be enough to earn All-American honors against the best national meet field that she has ever toed the line against?

16. Sarah Wills (Adams State)

A lesser known distance runner for the Grizzlies, Wills has always made a name for herself in the steeplechase, so could we see her as a possible 5k pacer as the team from Alamosa, Colorado tries to scrap for as many points in the distance races as possible?

17. Zoe Baker (Colorado Mines)

In a year where Baker has only added more workouts, miles and experience to her toolbox, does anyone actually think that she’s intimidated by this field in an event that favors her strengths?

18. Madison Brown (Dallas Baptist)

Even with the aerobic improvement that she has made, Brown is still on the outside looking in, although the real question is how well will she rebound from her 10k performance?

19. Layla Almasri (UC-Colorado Springs)

Almasri didn’t choose to double last year and came up short of a top-eight finish, but while she may be doubling back from the 1500 meters, that extra leg speed could be useful if she needs to kick for extra points.

20. Taylor Gonzales (Washburn)

Gonzales is a Montevallo transfer who has seen a huge jump in fitness this year, but will her rookie upside or rookie inexperience ultimately play a bigger role on the national stage?

21. Hannah Becker (Grand Valley State)

Becker, who has looked a little unsteady at times this year, will be competing on her home track and frankly, it's impossible to count out someone who has proven to be so dominant for a significant stretch of time.

22. PJ English (Augustana (SD))

Getting to the national meet is half the battle and given English's great history of executing race plans and flexing certain tactics, she could be a very deep sleeper name in this field depending on who you ask.

23. Toni Moore (Lee (Tenn.))

Moore’s last career race should be interesting as she’s going to be coming off of the steeplechase and going into a 5k race, a challenging but realistic double that makes some sense when you realize that she ran multiple races during certain meets earlier this spring.

24. Riley McGrath (UC-Colorado Springs)

The 1500 meters is certainly her main event and McGrath is likely just happy to be in this 5k field given that she is the last one to qualify, but on paper, she is probably the most talented final seed in any distance event this year.

Final Predictions:

1. Roisin Flanagan (Adams State)

2. Brianna Robles (Adams State)

3. Lindsay Cunningham (Winona State)

4. Jennifer Sandoval (Azusa Pacific)

5. Katie Doucette (Western Colorado)

6. Fiona Hawkins (Adams State)

7. Fatima Alanis (Queens (NC))

8. Allie Ludge (Grand Valley State)