Three Sentences Or Less: 2024 D1 NCAA Indoor Championship Men's 5k Preview

Admin (Garrett Zatlin)
Mar 2, 2024
4 min read

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Editor's Note: Our TSR writers were asked to produce three sentences or less of analysis on every entrant in every distance event for every division.

The below teams are ordered by seeding (via qualifiers list)

Predictions coming next week!

1. Nico Young (Northern Arizona)

There hasn't been a single distance runner in the NCAA this season who has been better than Nico Young. His already-elite aerobic-centric strength has become even better and his turnover has seemingly made improvements as well. However, tactical championship races haven't always treated Young that well, especially if it comes down a kick.

2. Ky Robinson (Stanford)

Despite a slightly underwhelming 5k result at Boston U. earlier this season, Ky Robinson is arguably just as big of a national title threat as Nico Young. The Aussie superstar has more proven turnover and has often executed his tactics in brilliant fashion on the national stage. While most would say that Nico Young is the national title favorite, it's important to recognize that Robinson isn't far off.

3. Parker Wolfe (North Carolina)

Parker Wolfe has truly taken that next step from "great" to "elite" this winter. Despite already being a highly accomplished distance talent, Wolfe ran personal bests in every event that he contested this winter and his recent 3:54 mile PR the other weekend was a massive step in the right direction. However, we've seen never him race at this level of the national stage before, leaving us to wonder what he'll do in the final few laps of this 5k title bout.

4. Habtom Samuel (New Mexico)

In terms of raw fitness, Habtom Samuel is arguably just as good as any of the other men in this field. However, the indoor national meet can usually be tactical and it can require some late-race turnover. While Samuel has undoubtedly improved upon that area since December, others are far more proven with their late-race speed and hold experience on this stage that the Lobo freshman does not.

5. Aaron Las Heras (Northern Arizona)

The overall fitness that we've seen from Aaron Las Heras this season has been greater than we expected it to be. But while he may have enough talent to be in contention for gold, he seems to be missing a gear that someone like Robinson and Young have proven that they have. Even so, he feels like the safest All-American pick of the non-national title favorites.

6. Theo Quax (Northern Arizona)

This season, you could argue that Aaron Las Heras has been better than Theo Quax, but only by the smallest margins. The tradeoff, however, is that Quax is far more dynamic and has some of the better speed-based turnover in this field.

7. Peter Maru (Arkansas)

We still have a lot to learn when it comes to Peter Maru's racing tendencies. However, in his short time in the NCAA, this Arkansas rookie has shown us that he prefers fast-paced races, he's fit enough to be an All-American, he at least has some semblance of tactical racing and his mile speed (via a DMR split) isn't too far off from his top competitors. On paper, all of that should lead to Maru being a top-eight finisher next weekend.

8. Alex Maier (Oklahoma State)

It's true, Alex Maier hasn't been at the same level that he was at last winter. Even so, the Oklahoma State veteran has quietly strung together some respectable results this season. We don't know what his All-American chances are, but they're far higher now than they were last spring.

9. Tom Brady (Michigan)

Between cross country and indoor track, this is the best that Tom Brady has ever looked. However, the BIG 10 Indoor Championships did show us that, in a championship race, Brady will need to channel greater finishing speed to contend for an All-American honor.

10. Kirami Yego (Arkansas)

It's been a good indoor track season for Kirami Yego, but he hasn't produced a result close to the caliber of his 13:24 (5k) PR from December. The good news, however, is that he'll have two other teammates in this field, both of whom may prefer to race near the top of the pack.

11. Jackson Sharp (Wisconsin)

After earning a trio of bronze medals last year (DMR, 3k and outdoor 5k), Jackson Sharp has proven that he can, a) effectively peak for the postseason, and b) knows how to respond to his competition. Throw in the fact that he has been exceptionally consistent this winter and all signs are pointing up for the Wisconsin ace.

12. Denis Kipngetich (Oklahoma State)

If this 5k race becomes a time trial scenario, then Denis Kipngetich could find himself in the top-eight next weekend. However, history says that an all-out affair is unlikely. And after seeing the Oklahoma State rookie show his youth at the BIG 12 Indoor Championships, the odds will certainly be stacked against him on the national stage.

13. Evans Kiplagat (New Mexico)

If you look at Evans Kiplagat's seasonal resume, you'll find a variety of different results. And while he doesn't have any truly poor performances, some are certainly better than others. Luckily for him, Kiplagat is very clearly at his best over 5000 meters and his teammate, Habtom Samuel, will likely be one of the key names controlling the top of this field.

14. Said Mechaal (Iowa State)

The first-half of Said Mechaal's indoor track season was great, running times of 3:57 (mile) and 13:27 (5k). However, in his last two races, the Iowa State standout comparatively struggled on a DMR anchor leg with a 3:59 split and just posted a highly underwhelming (and unconverted) 8:22 (3k) mark at the BIG 12 Indoor Championships. Simply put, we have no idea which version of Mechaal we'll get to see on the national stage.

15. Patrick Kiprop (Arkansas)

The first-half of Patrick Kiprop's indoor track season was a bit underwhelming, but he has slowly begun to piece together strong race after strong race. And yet, despite that momentum, this Razorback star will still be an underdog when gunning for All-American honors.

16. Alex Phillip (North Carolina)

Despite being the last seed, Alex Phillip has proven that he will at least be competitive next weekend, likely in the middle portion of this field. The North Carolina talent has shown a great aptitude for the 5k and has quietly risen to the occasion each time that he's been called upon during his time with the Tar Heels.