SOURCES: All-American Miler & XC Runner, Flomena Asekol, Enters Transfer Portal

The Stride Report has learned from multiple sources that Alabama's Flomena Asekol has entered the transfer portal. According to one source, she is expected to be a graduate student upon transferring. However, a separate source has informed TSR that Asekol does not have a "graduate student" designation next to her name in the portal.

According to TFRRS, she is expected to have one full year of eligibility remaining across all three seasons of competition.

Asekol has proven to be one of the most valuable three-season distance runners in the NCAA. The Alabama ace is a two-time All-American on the grass, placing 29th at the 2021 NCAA Fall XC Championships and then 14th at the 2022 NCAA XC Championships.

But Asekol's emergence as one of the nation's better collegiate milers is something that few top-15 cross country All-Americans can replicate. The soon-to-be former Crimson Tide runner holds a 4:32 mile PR from this past winter as well as a 4:11 (1500) PR from earlier this spring.

However, maybe more importantly, Asekol was the 3rd place finisher in the mile this past winter at the NCAA Indoor Championships, arguably the single-best performance of her career. The former JUCO star has also been a two-time outdoor national meet qualifier over 1500 meters.

Asekol is one of three Alabama women have recently transferred out of the Crimson Tide's distance program. The move likely stems from Will Palmer, Asekol's former coach, leaving Tuscaloosa in favor of a distance coaching role at the University of Florida earlier this year.

Standout distance talent Amaris Tyynismaa and high school standout Sam McDonnell also opted to venture elsewhere back in December. McDonnell's decision to transfer to UCLA, however, was made prior to Palmer's departure.

Between transfers and expired eligibility, the Alabama women have now lost three of their four top-16 cross country All-Americans from last year's team. Top distance star Hilda Olemomoi remains on the roster.

While the Crimson Tide do have a young and promising group of women, it will take some further development for this team to return to the national stage. However, given the recruiting history of this program, it is highly likely that the Alabama coaching staff will land at least one new distance running standout from either overseas or from the JUCO level.

With only a year of eligibility remaining, Asekol is likely the perfect fit for a team that is looking to immediately complete their cross country lineup in an effort to reach a certain goal. From qualifying for the national meet, to getting to the podium, to winning the national title, Asekol could be the missing piece for numerous distance programs around the country.

Could that be team NC State, a distance program that is going to lose All-American Nevada Mareno and possibly even Katelyn Tuohy? Could the Oklahoma State women try to mitigate the recent loss of Natalie Cook by bringing in Asekol?

Does Colorado have any remaining scholarships available? And if they do, could they land Asekol, someone who would potentially make them national title favorites?

Arkansas has a history of being very active in the transfer portal and they could definitely use the additional scoring help. But would Asekol really venture to an in-conference rival that has been in direct competition with Alabama over the last few years?

The possibilities feel endless for someone of Asekol's caliber who also brings uniquely great value to a middle distance event. Keep an eye out for where this distance talent could land. In theory, she could dramatically shift the balance of power for a handful of top programs.