PREDICTIONS: 2024 SEC Outdoor Championships

Maura Beattie
May 8, 2024
5 min read

Predictions & analysis via Maura Beattie, edits & additional commentary via Garrett Zatlin

Years ago, the SEC was not considered to be a competitive conference within the distance running realm. That narrative, however, has changed dramatically. Nowadays, the nation's most elite middle distance stars and long distance juggernauts all hail from the Southeastern Conference.

And in 2024, that couldn't be more true. That's why, despite the late release of the entries, we needed to make sure that we produced predictions! Alright, here we go...

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*Denotes that a collegian is also entered in another individual event. In these predictions, TSR is assuming that each runner is contesting an event fresh (i.e. not doubling back).

Men’s 800 Meters

Sam Whitmarsh (Texas A&M) - 1:45
Parvej Kahn (Florida)* - 1:45
Tyrese Reid (Mississippi State) - 1:46
Oussama El Bouchayby (Alabama) - 1:46
Sam Austin (Florida) - 1:47

Analysis: This is probably the race of the weekend at the SEC Championships, and maybe the entire NCAA, given the depth in the field. Sam Whitmarsh (Texas A&M) is the title favorite, but the competition won’t let him run away with the title. Florida’s Parvej Kahn has the home track advantage and has a reputation for a VERY fast finish.

Tyrese Reid of Mississippi State ran 1:45 (800) earlier this season, but he was overshadowed by Whitmarsh's 1:44 mark in that same race. This will be a huge opportunity for Reid to validate his early-season effort.

And that’s just the potential top-three that we could see! There's a very real possibility that we see four or even five men under 1:47 this weekend.

Women’s 800 Meters

Michaela Rose (LSU) - 1:58
Sanu Jallow (Arkansas) - 2:02
Sylvia Chelangat (South Carolina) - 2:02
Sydney Steely (Kentucky)* - 2:03
Lorena Rangel Batres (LSU)* - 2:03

Analysis: LSU’s Michaela Rose is in a league of her own. The Tiger star is the clear title favorite, so let’s focus on the race for 2nd place. Arkansas' Sanu Jallow has continued to find success over 800 meters on the outdoor oval, consistently running 2:03 marks. However, despite her ongoing consistency, Jallow will have to fend off a quietly deep field of women. Among those women includes Sylvia Chelangat of South Carolina, the SEC runner-up in this event back in 2023.

Men’s 1500 Meters

Parvej Kahn (Florida)* - 3:40
Jaouad Khchina (South Carolina)* - 3:41
Ryan Kinnane (Auburn)* - 3:41
Cruz Gomez (Ole Miss)* - 3:43
Ben Shearer (Arkansas)* - 3:43

Analysis: All-American talent Parvej Kahn (Florida) should come charging down the homestretch with his chain necklace in his mouth and win his first outdoor SEC title this weekend. Watch for Jaouad Khchina of South Carolina, though. The freshman is an unknown entering the men's 1500-meter field this weekend, but mark my words, his 1:48 (800) and 3:41 (1500) marks are worthy of him giving Kahn a run for his money.

Women’s 1500 Meters

Flomena Asekol (Florida)* - 4:14
Judy Kosgei (South Carolina)* - 4:15
Lorena Rangel Batres (LSU)* - 4:15
Tiana LoStracco (Arkansas) - 4:17
Mia Cochran (Arkansas)* - 4:18

Analysis: A sub-4:10 (1500) performance probably isn’t what we’ll see from the women at the SEC Championships, but rather, we’re going to get a tactical race. Florida’s Flomena Asekol's impeccable range will land her atop the podium, but SEC newcomer Judy Kosgei and veteran Lorena Rangel Batres have the wheels to challenge the Gator to the line.

Men’s 5000 Meters

Victor Kiprop (Alabama)* - 13:36
Kirami Yego (Arkansas)* - 13:38
Toby Gillen (Ole Miss)* - 13:39
Brandon Olden (Tennessee) - 13:42
Patrick Kiprop (Arkansas)* - 13:43

Analysis: It’s honestly anyone’s race in the 5k. Victor Kiprop of Alabama leads the SEC this spring with his 13:24 (5k) PR performance, but a time that fast likely won't be run this weekend. Many men are doubling back from the 1500 meters or the 10k, but not Tennessee’s Brandon Olsen. The Volunteer’s fresh legs will help him tremendously against a field of aggressive front-runners.

Women’s 5000 Meters

Parker Valby (Florida) - 14:51
Doris Lemngole (Alabama)* - 15:04
Hilda Olemomoi (Alabama)* - 15:09
Sydney Thorvaldson (Arkansas)* - 15:27
Brenda Tuwei (Alabama)* - 15:41

Analysis: Florida’s Parker Valby will be making her first appearance on the outdoor oval since recording an NCAA 10k record of 30:50. Fans shouldn’t be shocked one bit to see Valby improve upon her current 14:52 (5k) PR at the SEC Championships and continue her undefeated junior year. For the remainder of the podium, Alabama’s duo of Doris Lemngole and Hilda Olemomoi stand out and will sit on Valby as long as possible.

Men’s 10,000 Meters

Patrick Kiprop (Arkansas)* - 29:13
Victor Kiprop (Alabama)* - 29:17
Bradley Makuvire (South Carolina)* - 29:24
Yaseen Abdalla (Tennessee)* - 29:25
Jacob McLeod (Arkansas)* - 29:30

Analysis: Don’t expect a fast one from the men in the 10k. The heavy favorites, Patrick Kiprop (Arkansas) and Victor Kiprop (Alabama), will be doubling back later in the weekend for the 5k and won’t want to exert too much energy. The 10k at the SEC Championships is really about bragging rights and execution of tactics this weekend.

Women’s 10,000 Meters

Hilda Olemomoi (Alabama)* - 34:20
Sydney Thorvaldson (Arkansas)* - 34:28
Joy Gill (Alabama) - 34:31
Ella Chesnut (LSU)* - 34:32
Emily Covert (Tennessee)* - 34:36

Analysis: There’s not much to say here. Alabama’s Hilda Olemomoi should be able to run away from Arkansas’ Sydney Thorvaldson somewhat convincingly, although not necessarily easily. And while the times may seem slow, you have to remember that both of those women have to double back for the 5k. Florida is also a hot and humid setting and last year's 10k race, won by Thorvaldson, was won in 35:07.

If you want a dark horse though, pay attention to LSU’s Ella Chestnut. The Tiger sophomore is finding her groove in the 10k after focusing on the steeplechase in 2023. A top-five finish after running 32:46 (10k) earlier this season isn’t out of the question for Chestnut.

Men’s 3000-Meter Steeplechase

Victor Kibiego (Texas A&M)* - 8:37
Carson Burian (Alabama)* - 8:46
Brett Brady (Tennessee) - 8:49
Jackson Watts (Kentucky)* - 8:55
Wesley John (Georgia) - 8:58

Analysis: Victor Kibiego doesn’t need to run lights out this weekend in the steeplechase as the Texas A&M star is leaps and bounds ahead of the field. No one from the chase pack is really catching our eyes. The men’s steeplechase at the SEC Championships just isn’t deep enough to give Kibiego a fight for the win.

Women’s 3000-Meter Steeplechase

Doris Lemngole (Alabama)* - 9:32
Elise Thorner (Florida)* - 9:34
Laura Taborda (Arkansas)* - 9:54
Kennedy Fontenot (Texas A&M)* - 10:02
Teresa Cherotich (South Carolina)* - 10:05

Analysis: Doris Lemngole (Alabama) surprised anyone who wasn't familiar with her steeple accolades when she beat Notre Dame’s Olivia Markezich in that event a few weeks ago. But heading into the SEC Championships, everyone knows what to expect from the Crimson Tide freshman. Lemngole and Florida’s Elise Thorner should have a nice battle upfront for the win, but the former has the advantage over the Gator.