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PREDICTIONS: 2025 Alex Wilson Invitational (DMR Only)
The Alex Wilson Invitational is one of the NCAA's single-best indoor track meets of the year when it comes to producing elite DMR times. And despite a handful of other competitive DMR-centric meets popping up around the country, the 2025 rendition of this Notre Dame-hosted distance medley showcase is still set to be plenty entertaining.
Below, we listed all of the DMR entries for the men's and women's races, offering a few lines of analysis for all of the entered teams. Yes, there are individual/open events, but the priority for this weekend is the distance medley relay.
So let's not waste anymore time. Let's jump right into it...
Men's DMR
NOTE: Teams are listed in alphabetical order
Bradley Braves
Are the Braves going to qualify for the indoor national meet in the DMR? No, probably not. That, however, doesn't mean that they won't have a respectable lineup.
I like to think that Jack Crull is an underrated sub-four miler. He has, after all, run 3:55 this year. And when you pair a high-upside veteran with two 1:48 half-milers in Jamie Phillips and Jaxson Copelin, you get sneaky-good relay.
Like I said, the odds are still stacked against Bradley in terms of national qualifying. And yet, it's very fair to say that their chances of extending their season to March are non-zero.
BYU Cougars
Lucas Bons is an accomplished miler who, at his very best, could be a great anchor leg. However, the Cougar veteran has only competed twice this season. And in his lone mile effort, he "only" ran 3:56.
Thankfully, BYU still has young up-and-coming names like Tyler Mathews and Carter Cutting who offer highly potent talent. On paper, they should fill out this lineup enough to keep the Cougars in the national qualifying conversation.
However, mixing youth with a wild card anchor suggests that this relay holds a good bit of risk going into Saturday.
Cornell Big Red
The Cornell men are much better than some people realize and they deserve your respect. So far this season, Big Red has a pair of 3:56 milers in Damian Hackett and Pierre Attiogbe, while Derek Amicon has run 3:59.
Admittedly, Cornell is a bit thin on lineup options after those three men. They have not yet had anyone run faster than 1:51 for 800 meters this season. The good news is that Hackett has run 2:20 for 1000 meters while Pierre Attiogbe has run 2:21. On paper, it may make sense to put Amicon on the lead-off leg, Hackett on the 800-meter leg and Attiogbe on the anchor.
This team isn't perfect, and a lot will be riding on how well their lead-off leg performs. Even so, I think there is a somewhat realistic chance that Cornell snags a top-12 spot on the national leaderboard after Saturday.
Illinois Fighting Illini'
I have to admit, it would be a complete and utter shock if the Illinois men run fast enough to qualify for the indoor national meet in the DMR. Even so, they have a small handful of names on their roster who deserve a nod of respect.
William Merrick is a 4:01 miler who has run 2:22 (1k) this season as well. Nicolas Dovalovsky has run 2:22 for 1000 meters this winter while Tadeas Placek has run 1:48 for 800 meters. That's a lineup that could be somewhat competitive at the BIG 10 Indoor Championships. However, defeating more than two or three other teams in this field would truthfully be a surprise.
Indiana Hoosiers
Each and every year, the Indiana men have beaten my (truthfully low) expectations for them, specifically in the DMR. However, with Camden Marshall seemingly not racing this winter, I once again find myself scratching my head, wondering how this DMR group is going to qualify for the national meet.
Martin Segurola is a 3:56 miler who will be a great anchor leg. He has had a breakout season and could be due for further improvements, especially in a field like this. Aidan Lord (2:23 for 1k) has shown promise while Keefer Soehngen has run 1:48 (800) this season.
And yet, despite the upside that each of those men seemingly have, it's hard to see how they will come together to be a top-12 team in the DMR, nationally. Of course, if there is any program capable of proving me wrong, it's Indiana.
Michigan Wolverines
Just like the above-mentioned Indiana men, Michigan is a team that almost always comes through with a better-than-expected DMR result. That was especially true last winter when they ran a huge time of 9:19 at this very same meet.
This squad doesn't seem to have a legitimate weakness and they have more than just two or three talented names to choose from. The Wolverines are set to field Miles Brown (1:47 for 800 meters) and Trent McFarland (3:58 mile PR), two high-impact names who have been quietly consistent. And beyond those two men, there is also Brendan Herger, 3:59 miler, who can also be found in the entries.
Can Michigan's balanced lineup and limited weaknesses outshine the Wolverines' lack of a true standout star? I don't know the answer to that question, but based on their history, that seems plenty realistic.
Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans are admittedly in a tough spot going into Saturday. Their fastest miler this winter, Tim Cherry, has "only" run 4:00 while their fastest half-miler this season is also Tim Cherry (1:50). After him, their next-fastest name over 800 meters is Kyle Eberhard who has run 1:52.
We're confident that Riley Hough can play an impactful role on this relay, but Michigan State is at a disadvantage across the board. Finishing outside of the bottom three or four should be considered a successful day.
New Mexico Lobos
The New Mexico men should be viewed as the favorites to secure this win on Saturday. The Lobos boast a true ace in Collins Kiprotich who posted a huge 3:53 altitude conversion in the mile earlier this season. If just 80% of that performance is translatable to sea level, then Kiprotich will be one of the best anchor legs in this field.
Based on the entries, New Mexico is not fielding Habtom Samuel. However, they do have a slew of options to choose from between Lukas Kiprop, Matthew Kosgei and Iker Sanchez Lopez.
Tack on Dylan Burrows, a half-miler who has earned a 1:48 altitude conversion this season, and you get a New Mexico DMR that could absolutely make it to this year's indoor national meet.
That, however, is far from a guarantee. Many of these Lobo standouts are not very proven in the middle distances outside of conversions. And while Kiprotich will likely anchor this relay, it's not clear who will be the lead-off leg and how they fare in that event.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
I am a strong believer that this team is better than what their current TFRRS page says about them this season. For example, Daelen Ackley, at his best, is probably better than what his 3:58 mile PR suggests.
When you add in guys like Michael Danzi, Carter Solomon and Vinny Mauri, there is a realistic avenue for the Fighting Irish men to earn the overall win this weekend. They are, after all, competing on their home track.
However, if this group wants any shot at qualifying for the indoor national meet in the DMR, then every single member of this relay needs to have their best races of the season...and then some.
Ole Miss Rebels
Historically, Ole Miss is a juggernaut in the DMR. That, however, is not how I would describe their potential lineup in 2025.
Make no mistake, having middle distance talents like Carson Turner (1:48 PR for 800 meters), Max Armstrong (1:49 PR for 800 meters) and Marcus Dropik (1:47 PR for 800 meters) should help quite a bit. Others like Evan Thornton-Sherman and/or Gabe Scales could also play a role in this relay. There is also the possibility that Kidus Misgina or Toby Gillen drop down in distance.
The Rebels have a handful of lineup variations that they can employ for Friday's race. But even if Ole Miss does yield their best possible group, they may still be on the outside looking in for a DMR national qualifying spot.
Texas A&M Aggies
There is a very realistic argument to be had that the Texas A&M men are the favorites going into this race.
On paper, the Aggies have every leg of their lineup filled by a national-caliber standout. Cooper Cawthra has run 3:54 in the mile this year, Luca Santorum has run 2:21 for 1000 meters this winter and Kimar Farquharson is an All-American half-miler who has run as fast as 1:47 this season.
If each member of the Aggies' lineup performs up to expectations, then Texas A&M could win this race and qualify for the indoor national meet in the DMR. The big x-factor, however, is Sam Whitmarsh.
The 800-meter superstar has been very quiet this winter, having finished only one of his three half-mile efforts this season en route to a modest time of 1:49. If he comes back at full strength, then Texas A&M will/should be the clear favorites.
Wisconsin Badgers
It's hard not to like a DMR lineup that will almost certainly feature Adam Spencer on the anchor leg. The Aussie distance star is, undoubtedly, the best miler of anyone who could potentially be racing on Saturday.
Freshman Patrick Hilby has looked quietly great this winter after running 1:48 for 800 meters and it's fair to say that Andrew Casey is better than what his 1:49 seasonal best suggests.
However, the Badgers do not have anyone other than Spencer who has run faster than 4:01 in the mile this season. And with Bob Liking not listed in the entries, there's no guarantee that the Badgers will pull off this win, even with Spencer on the anchor leg...but they still could.
Women's DMR
NOTE: Teams are listed in alphabetical order
Bradley Braves
Between Trixie Wraith (4:41 mile PR), Kaitlyn Sheppard (4:43 mile PR) and Abigail Hancock (4:43 mile PR), the Bradley women should have a respectable DMR lineup going into Saturday.
Even so, not having anyone who has run under the 4:40 mile barrier before will make it tricky for the Braves to stand out in this field. That's not to say that this team won't hold their own, but it's hard to see this group earning a top-half finish.
Cornell Big Red
I would argue that Augustine Haquet is emerging as a legitimate ace for Cornell, having run 4:34 in the mile earlier this winter. She also flexed great range in nearly every other distance discipline.
Both Gwen Parks and Katja Jackson are respectable middle distance runners. While they are far from the best lead-off or 800-meter legs in this field, they should put Haquet within striking distance of a few top teams.
It would still be asking a lot for Big Red to crack the top-four or top-five in this field. However, if Haquet still has another level that she can reach, then a top-five result is within reason.
Illinois Fighting Illini'
Veteran Halle Hill is having an absolutely fantastic winter campaign. So far this season, Hill has produced a strong 4:32 mile PR in addition to a 2:44 (1k) mark. Her momentum is at an all-time high and she'll be dangerous if she can get the baton in a good enough position.
The issue, however, is that her supporting cast will be fighting an uphill battle. No other woman on Illinois' roster has run faster than 2:10 (800) or 4:45 (mile) this season. But as far as silver linings go, Sam Poglitsch is an experienced veteran who has made steady improvements this winter. If she has an exceptionally great race, then the Fighting Illini' could crack the top-half of this field...right?
Indiana Hoosiers
If you were to look at Indiana's roster before looking at the entries for this meet, then you'd likely give a nod of approval. Sure, the Hoosiers' don't have any true standout stars, but they do boast a fairly complete middle distance group with great depth.
The issue, however, is that Taylor Fox, the team's top miler this season with a 4:41 mark, is not listed in the entries. The same can be said for Amelia Dodds, their top-half-miler this season with a 2:06 effort. Not having your two best middle distance runners for this relay is brutal and it admittedly limits the Hoosiers' upside going into Saturday.
Indiana still has solid reinforcements in Lily Myers, Veronica Hargrave and Nola Somers Glenn. Even so, it's going to be exceptionally hard for the Hoosiers to stand out in this field.
Iowa State Cyclones
I really like the lineup that we could see from the Iowa State women tomorrow.
The Cyclones boast an outstanding 2:02 (800) runner in Makayla Clark is who is highly experienced. Not only that, but Maelle Porcher has run 4:35 in the mile this season, flexing greater turnover than we thought she had.
Those two women alone would usually be enough for me to list Iowa State in the top-half of our predictions. But when you add in Becca Heitzig, a 2:05 (800) talent, you get a complete relay void of any true flaws.
Sure, everyone on this lineup still needs to deliver on their full talent, but I would not sleep on the ladies of Ames, Iowa.
Michigan Wolverines
Samantha Hastie has been a great distance talent for the Michigan women this winter. So far this season, the Wolverine veteran has run solid times of 2:07 (800) and 4:40 (mile). But after her, there appears to be fairly clear talent gap between her and the other distance legs in this lineup.
I do believe that Rylee Tolson is due for a big performance, but the entries don't show either of Michigan's sub-53.00 (400) runners (Savannah Sutherland and Payton Smith) in their lineup.
Simply put, the ladies of Big Blue need a lot to go right if they want to finish as a top-five team.
New Mexico Lobos
The New Mexico women have already toed the line for a fast DMR race this season. In fact, that effort came at the Husky Classic last weekend where they ran 10:53. And unbelievably, that mark will likely not be fast enough to put the Lobos on the national stage this winter.
Even so, this squad is likely capable of running under 10:50 in the DMR this weekend. The only question, of course, is how far under can they go?
Having a legitimate superstar talent in Pamela Kosgei is incredibly helpful. And based on the entries, it's possible that we'll see Alice Seguin and/or Marion Jepngetich on this relay as well.
It feels like there are clear and obvious ways for the Lobos to improve upon their latest mark. Seguin and Jepngetich could be excellent newcomers for this lineup. But is there any team in this field that could push them deep enough under the 10:50 barrier? Outside of maybe Notre Dame, I'm not 100% confident that there is.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Alongside New Mexico, I would view Notre Dame as the other favorite to win this race. And just like the Lobos, I'm not entirely sure how far under the 10:50 barrier the ladies of South Bend, Indiana can go this weekend.
Sophie Novak has looked awesome this year, running 4:33 in the mile to pair with a recent 8:56 (3k) PR. Having her on the anchor leg will keep the Irish in contention for the win. It also doesn't hurt that Gretchen Farley has run 2:06 (800) this winter or that Siona Chisholm has run 4:40 in the mile.
Neither Farley nor Chisholm need to be superstars on Saturday. As long as they go out and deliver at the higher end of their fitness, then Novak should get the baton with a shot at the win...assuming she is one of the anchor legs.
Tennessee Volunteers
Ka'Myya Haywood could be argued as the highlight of this lineup, holding a very respectable 2:06 PR for 800 meters. However, the Volunteers don't have any other women who have run faster than 4:47 in the mile this winter. And truthfully, that is a hard stat to overlook, especially when you consider how young this relay is compared to the other teams in this field.
FINAL PREDICTIONS
NOTE: Predictions are made under the assumption that the listed entries for each DMR lineup are correct unless otherwise specified in the article.
Men's DMR
New Mexico Lobos - 9:19
Wisconsin Badgers - 9:20
Texas A&M Aggies - 9:22
BYU Cougars - 9:22
Cornell Big Red - 9:22
Michigan Wolverines - 9:23
Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 9:23
Bradley Braves - 9:25
Indiana Hoosiers - 9:26
Ole Miss Rebels - 9:28
Michigan State Spartans - 9:33
Illinois Fighting Illini' - 9:35
Women's DMR
New Mexico Lobos - 10:45
Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 10:47
Iowa State Cyclones - 10:56
Cornell Big Red - 11:00
Illinois Fighting Illini' - 11:04
Michigan Wolverines - 11:05
Bradley Braves - 11:08
Indiana Hoosiers - 11:18
Tennessee Volunteers - 11:21
