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

  • Writer: Admin (Garrett Zatlin)
    Admin (Garrett Zatlin)
  • Feb 29, 2024
  • 4 min read

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. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks

As impressive as this relay was at the Alex Wilson Invite, there is essentially no chance that we see Nico Young or Theo Quax in the DMR next weekend. It is possible, however, that Colin Sahlman doubles back from the mile prelims. And if you pair him with a very solid miler in Kang Nyoak, then you get a lineup that should, in theory, remain in the All-American hunt.


2. North Carolina Tar Heels

Much like the NAU men, it's highly unlikely that Parker Wolfe runs on this relay given that he'll be contesting the 5000 meters. Ethan Strand could double back from the mile prelims, but is 3:59 miler Jake Gebhardt a strong enough alternate to justify Strand adding another race under his legs before the mile finals (assuming he qualifies)? That decision will ultimately be the biggest factor in whether or not the Tar Heels remain favored for an All-American honor.


3. Washington Huskies

With Ronan McMahon-Staggs scratching out of the mile with no alternative other than the DMR, it makes sense that the 3:54 miler would anchor this relay. However, with Nathan Green running the 800-meter prelims instead of the mile (and therefore giving him less rest before the DMR), it's hard to know whether or not Luke Houser and/or Joe Waskom will double back from their own mile prelim efforts. If they don't, then Leo Daschbach would likely find his way onto this relay, giving the Huskies a good-but-not-great DMR lineup.


4. Virginia Cavaliers

Gary Martin (mile) and Conor Murphy (800) both have prelim duties prior to the DMR. And while the former could double back, the Cavaliers may actually have enough reinforcements to still snag an All-American honor. With two half-mile specialists in Shane Cohen and Alex Leath, as well as a 3:55 miler in Yasin Sado and a few other sub-four mile talents, the UVA men should be able to salvage a quietly great result.



5. Michigan Wolverines

The success of this relay will largely hinge on how effective 3:54 miler, Nick Foster, can be when doubling back from the mile prelims. While Miles Brown is one of the more underrated middle distance legs in this field, it's Foster who is an unknown variable given his wide array of mile results this winter.


6. Oklahoma State Cowboys

One could argue that the Oklahoma State men are actually favored to win the DMR national title as everyone in their projected lineup will be fresh on day one. Having two stars in Brian Musau and Ryan Schoppe on either end of this relay is certainly helpful, but Mehdi Yanouri could make their lives even easier on the 800-meter leg if he returns to his 2023 form.


7. Arkansas Razorbacks

Not having Peter Maru on the anchor leg definitely doesn't help the Arkansas men, but this relay should be able to remain somewhat competitive if Elias Schreml or Reuben Rein are the alternates. No, this lineup won't blow you away, but one of those two men paired with Riley Wells and Ben Shearer should create a fairly stable DMR group.


8. Wisconsin Badgers

I have zero clue what to expect in terms of the relay order for the Wisconsin men. Jackson Sharp is out of consideration given that he's running the 5k, but will Adam Spencer (mile) and/or Abdullahi Hassan (800) double back from their respective prelims? If not, then expect guys such as Andrew Casey (1:48 for 800 meters) and/or Bob Liking (3:58 miler) to keep the Badgers in the All-American hunt.


9. Virginia Tech Hokies

If the Virginia Tech men decided to go all-in for a fresh DMR, then they could have very easily taken advantage of a field where most top relays aren't going to be fresh. However, with the Hokies two most important legs, Nick Plant and Judson Lincoln IV, being tasked with individual prelims (800 meters and 400 meters, respectively), the odds will be stacked against this Blacksburg-based DMR.



10. Indiana Hoosiers

Despite their lower seeding, this Indiana DMR is VERY dangerous. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if they cracked the top-three. Camden Marshall is on fire this winter, especially after earning a BIG 10 title over 800 meters, and Austin Haskett is much better than some people may realize.


11. Georgetown Hoyas

While both Abel Teffra and Tinoda Matsatsa may not be available after running their respective prelims, that shouldn't be a major issue for Georgetown. This roster is loaded with middle distance specialists. In fact, Tim McInerney, Parker Stokes and Camden Gilmore may be the best collection of fresh alternates that any relay in this field will have.


12. Iowa State Cyclones

With Said Mechaal running the 5k and both Darius Kipyego and Finley McLear contesting the 800 meters, it's hard to imagine that this Cyclone DMR will have a major role in this field next weekend.

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