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PREDICTIONS: 2024 RMAC Indoor Championships

  • Writer: Admin (Garrett Zatlin)
    Admin (Garrett Zatlin)
  • Feb 22, 2024
  • 5 min read

Updated: Feb 22, 2024

*Denotes that a collegian is also entered in another individual event.


NOTE: TSR is aware that an athlete could scratch out of certain events to pursue a more manageable weekend double (or even triple). As such, TSR's predictions assume that an athlete is contesting a certain event as part of a weekend double/triple that would be deemed "reasonable." Unless shown otherwise in the entries, DMR predictions do not necessarily assume that a certain relay will feature the best possible lineup. The RMAC Indoor Championships are being held 3600 feet of altitude and on a 200-meter flat track.


Below times are listed as conversions.

Women’s 800 Meters

Listed times are converted

  1. Katie Heck (Fort Lewis) - 2:09

  2. Lieke Hoogsteen (Adams State) - 2:09

  3. Aryelle Wright (Colorado Mines) - 2:09

  4. Kate Hedlund (UC-Colorado Springs)* - 2:10

  5. Emma Kjellsen (Western Colorado) - 2:11


Analysis: This race could ultimately be a matchup of numerous 800-meter All-Americans. The biggest takeaway, however, is that Katie Heck is entered in this race -- and not the mile, her primary event. That's a surprise given that she is not in a national qualifying position for the mile this season. But out of all the women in this field, it feels like Aryelle Wright (Colorado Mines) and Lieke Hoogsteen (Adams State) are safe bets to run well. A win this weekend for either of those ladies would give them highly valuable momentum going into the national meet. And in the end, I see this being a quick and close race.


Men’s 800 Meters

Listed times are converted

  1. Andrew O'Keefe (Adams State) - 1:50

  2. Tim Thompson (Colorado Mines) - 1:51

  3. Jon Sweepe (CSU-Pueblo) - 1:53

  4. Braden Anderson (Black Hills State) - 1:53

  5. Brady Burrough (Fort Lewis) - 1:53


Analysis: This is probably the field that I know the least about, meaning that I'll go with the traditional prediction methodology that has served me well in the past. Andrew O'Keefe is the only upperclassman in his heat and I trust his veteran experience. Jon Sweepe isn't dramatically better or worse than a lot of the guys in his heat, but I heavily trust CSU-Pueblo middle distance runners in the postseason.


Women’s Mile

Listed times are converted

  1. Riley McGrath (Colorado Mines)* - 4:44

  2. Kate Hedlund (UC-Colorado Springs)* - 4:44

  3. Anna Fauske (UC-Colorado Springs)* - 4:45

  4. Peyton Weiss (Western Colorado) - 4:45

  5. Margot Thomas (CSU-Pueblo) - 4:49


Analysis: This will likely be the best race of the weekend, at least for the distance events. Riley McGrath has already run 4:42 in the mile this year and has looked flat-out awesome over the last month. But Kate Hedlund, her former teammate-turned-rival, has also been at the top of her game recently. In fact, you could argue that Hedlund has never looked this sharp going into the postseason before! With Anna Fauske due for a big mile performance and Peyton Weiss holding tons of upside, this race could be a bit faster than some people may expect.


Men’s Mile

Listed times are converted

  1. David Cardenas (Adams State) - 4:03

  2. Loic Scomparion (Colorado Mines)* - 4:04

  3. Alberto Campa (Colorado Mines) - 4:04

  4. Hudson Majeski (Colorado Christian) - 4:05

  5. Brock Drengenberg (Colorado Mines) - 4:07


Analysis: Based on times, most people would say that Loic Scomparin is favored to win this race. But David Cardenas has been outstanding this year. Not only has he produced excellent times, but he's been super consistent and has middle distance turnover that Scomparin simply doesn't. As for the rest of this field, I can't help but choose a handful of the Orediggers. They are plenty familiar with how to navigate a flat-track held at altitude.



Women’s 3k

Listed times are converted

  1. Anna Fauske (UC-Colorado Springs)* - 9:34

  2. Margaux Basart (Colorado Mines) - 9:35

  3. Zoe Baker (Colorado Mines)* - 9:37

  4. Holly Moser (Colorado Mines)* - 9:37

  5. Leah Taylor (Western Colorado) - 9:38


Analysis: There are a million different ways that this race could unfold. And although the Colorado Mines women have a heavy presence in this field, individual standouts such as Leah Taylor (Western Colorado) and Anna Fauske (UC-Colorado Springs) will almost certainly play a role. That said, Margaux Basart (Colorado Mines) has been on a tear this season. With a balanced skillset and tons of momentum, it would not be a surprise if she won this race.


Men’s 3k

Listed times are converted

  1. Loic Scomparin (Colorado Mines)* - 7:57

  2. Tyler Nord (Western Colorado) - 8:00

  3. Simon Kelati (Western Colorado) - 8:01

  4. Jagger Zlotoff (UC-Colorado Springs) - 8:04

  5. Duncan Fuehne (Colorado Mines)* - 8:04


Analysis: If Loic Scomparin is actually going to race the 3000 meters (instead of pacing it), then he should win no matter the scenario. Even so, Tyler Nord and Simon Kelati are both highly established men who hold resumes more conducive to success than the rest of this field (not named Scomparin). If this race is hot from the start, then Duncan Fuehne should benefit. But if late-race turnover becomes a factor, then I like the mile prowess of Jagger Zlotoff to help pull out a top finish.


Women’s 5k

Listed times are converted

  1. Zoe Baker (Colorado Mines)* - 16:25

  2. Holly Moser (Colorado Mines)* - 16:27

  3. Shannon King (Colorado Christian)* - 16:50

  4. Grace Strongman (Colorado Mines) - 16:51

  5. Amelia Dorion (Adams State)* - 16:53


Analysis: This race feels fairly clear-cut. Zoe Baker and Holly Moser are in a tier of their own while Shannon King, Grace Strongman and Amelia Dorion occupy the next tier. And while I would usually be more nuanced in my approach (when crafting predictions), I don't see much variation happening with the five women who I chose.


Men’s 5k

Listed times are converted

  1. Loic Scomparin (Colorado Mines)* - 13:48

  2. Duncan Fuehne (Colorado Mines)* - 13:49

  3. Paul Knight (Colorado Mines)* - 13:55

  4. John O'Malley (Colorado Mines)* - 14:02

  5. Dawson Gunn (Colorado Mines)* - 14:02


Analysis: If you're not a Colorado Mines fan, you may want to look away. I sincerely tried to find non-Orediggers who I could put within my top-five. But this team is insanely deep. Nearly all of these men have had prior success this season and this will likely be a fast race designed to get a few Colorado Mines guys into the national meet. There are also an overwhelming number of aspects that favor Colorado Mines in this race, although I wouldn't be surprised if Scomparin and/or Fuehne were pacing.



Women’s DMR

Listed times are converted

  1. Western Colorado Mountaineers - 11:28

  2. Colorado Mines Orediggers - 11:33

  3. CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves - 11:44

  4. MSU-Denver Roadrunners - 12:27

  5. Black Hills State Yellow Jackets - 12:41


Analysis: Despite what the seed times say, I actually feel very confident that the Western Colorado women are favored to win this race. The combination of Peyton Weiss, Leah Taylor, Emma Kjellsen and Kelia Portis is best overall DMR lineup compared to the rest of the field. And while the Colorado Mines women do have Riley McGrath, you could argue that Leah Taylor isn't too far off from her.


Men’s DMR

Listed times are converted

  1. Adams State Grizzlies - 9:42

  2. Western Colorado Mountaineers - 9:43

  3. Colorado Christian Cougars - 9:43

  4. Fort Lewis Skyhawks - 9:59

  5. CSU-Puelo ThunderWolves - 10:01


Analysis: These DMR lineups are surprisingly strong, at least for the top-three teams. The Adams State men are favored thanks to the talent of Andrew O'Keeffe and David Cardenas, but Western Colorado and Colorado Christian shouldn't be much further behind. The latter two teams have top-tier anchor legs (Nord and Storer, respectively) which could result in fireworks over the last few laps.

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