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Three Sentences Or Less: 2024 D1 NCAA Outdoor Championship Men's 1500-Meter Preview
- Finn Birnie
- May 31, 2024
- 7 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 athletes are ordered to match the start list
Predictions coming soon!
1. Liam Murphy (Villanova)
If there is anyone who knows how to win races, it's Villanova’s Liam Murphy. His racing arsenal has it all from exquisite tactical awareness to a furious change in pace as well as versatility that is matched very few others. Murphy's impressive 3:36 (1500) mark from the Bryan Clay Invite earlier this spring highlighted his prowess as a nationally competitive star, although trying to crack the same tier as Luke Houser, Adam Spencer and Colin Sahlman will not at all be an easy task.
2. Anass Essayi (South Carolina)
Anass Essayi’s talent has never been in question. The South Carolina ace flaunts a jaw-dropping resume filled with elite dynamism and a fearless ability to commit to races. However, his postseason exploits have often left us disappointed, leaving us to wonder, is this the season where his championship woes are put behind him?
3. Steven Jackson (Boston College)
The owner of one of the most menacing kicks in the nation (on the right day), it's never a surprise to see Steven Jackson top the list of fastest last laps. The Boston College star lowered his PR by a whopping three seconds at the East Regional Championships (en route to a 3:38 mark) and is now heading to Oregon with tons of momentum. If Jackson can successfully utilize his close speeding, then he will pose as a serious threat to those vying for an All-American accolade.
4. Damien Dilcher (Iona)
Iona’s Damien Dilcher has been flying under the radar this season, but with two sub-3:40 (1500) clockings, he has proven that he has the wheels to roll with the best. The Gael star showcased his underrated tactical ability at the East Regional Championships, not only earning his first individual national meet appearance, but also setting a new 1500-meter PR of 3:38. If Dilcher can capitalize on this momentum, then he could very well be a dark horse pick for All-American honors.
5. Damian Hackett (Cornell)
Damian Hackett is one of the more underappreciated milers in the country. The reigning Ivy League mile and 1500-meter champion boasts impressive consistency and has proven to be subtly great in tactical scenarios. The question remains, however: How will his plentiful championship experience translate to the bigger and brighter lights of the national stage?
6. Benne Anderson (Syracuse)
True freshman Benne Anderson was a stud in high school and is adapting to the rigors of the NCAA much quicker than many would have imagined. Despite his youth, the Syracuse newcomer has raced with exceptional poise, earning two top-eight ACC Championship finishes this year and securing an all-important spot in Eugene, Oregon after a 3:39 PR at the East Regional Championships. While Anderson's achievements may not yet rival those of his more experienced counterparts, he undoubtedly possesses the raw talent to keep defying expectations
7. Ezekiel Rop (Iowa State)
While Ezekiel Rop hasn't quite reached the same heights as he did last season time-wise, his consistency this spring has been impeccable. With seven marks under 3:41 (1500) this season alone, three of which cracked the 3:40 barrier, Rop has showcased his ability in both tactical and time-trial scenarios. With a 3:36 mark from last year to his name, the best version of the Cyclone may still be yet to come.
8. Joe Waskom (Washington)
It's no secret that Joe Waskom hasn't quite been at his best in 2024, but as we have entered the championship season, he seems to have found his stride. At the West Regional Championships, the Husky veteran showcased his masterful kick, a skill that has already led him to a 1500-meter national title. While he may not be the title favorite this year, it would be a disservice to overlook an athlete as decorated as Waskom.
9. Charlie O'Donovan (Villanova)
Charlie O'Donovan is a true veteran of the game and his experience is going to be invaluable. The BIG East athlete is a master when it comes to positioning, a skill that has led him to take down a host of accomplished milers this season including Georgetown’s Abel Teffra. With personal bests of 3:56 (mile) and 3:39 (1500), O’Donovan is certainly considered one of the faster underdogs (when it comes to All-American contention) in this field.
10. Nathan Green (Washington)
Defending 1500-meter national champion Nathan Green has demonstrated flashes of brilliance this season, highlighted by an NCAA #4 all-time mark of 3:34 at the Bryan Clay Invite. Despite the hurdles of 2024, Green appears sharper than ever. However, with such a versatile field, Green will likely need to leverage his impressive 1:46 (800) speed to capture another NCAA crown.
11. Adam Spencer (Wisconsin)
Wisconsin’s 3:31 (1500) man, Adam Spencer, may well be the most dangerous competitor in the entire field. The Badger ace possesses a lethal blend of speed and strength, attributes that enabled him to prevail at the Australian Championships against some of the world's best pros, including Ollie Hoare and Stewart McSweyn. After narrowly falling short of the NCAA mile title this past winter, Spencer will be looking to turn that silver into gold next weekend.
12. Colin Sahlman (Northern Arizona)
With two sub-3:35 (1500) clockings and a blistering 1:45 (800) mark to his name, sophomore Colin Sahlman has been the man to beat this season in the metric mile. With an abundance of speed and some seriously underrated strength, the Lumberjack standout has the ability to excel in any race scenario. However, the question remains: Will Sahlman's relative youth be his only limiting factor next weekend?
13. Elliott Cook (Oregon)
Oregon’s Elliott Cook is riding a wave of momentum like no other. The Duck middle distance star has been simply exceptional this season, toppling the "Big Three" of Luke Houser, Nathan Green and Joe Waskom en route to a PAC-12 title over 1500 meters. An athlete accustomed to the turnover of the 800 meters and the tactical nuances of the 1500 meters, Cook will be hoping that the old "Hayward Magic" can help him return to All-American status.
14. Luke Houser (Washington)
Luke Houser possesses the ideal blend of firepower and tactical expertise. While his spring resume hasn't quite matched his winter achievements, Houser has still shown enough promise to suggest that he can contend for a national title. After all, it's hard to discount a two-time national champion.
15. Alex Stitt (Oklahoma State)
After an underwhelming run at the BIG 12 Championships, Alex Stitt rebounded in style to cruise to his second NCAA Championship appearance in two years. The Aussie talent has taken a huge leap in fitness this spring, lowering his 1500-meter PR to 3:38. For years, the Cowboy runner has quietly had one of the stronger resumes in the BIG 12 and now that he's equipped with a shiny new PR, Stitt will be looking to capitalize on his breakout season.
16. Rheinhardt Harrison (Oregon)
After a star-studded high school career, Rheinhardt Harrison is seemingly making his adjustment to the demands of NCAA racing. Harrison has shown promising consistency this spring and seemingly has a strong understanding of tactical nuances even if certain races don't always break his way. While his championship experience may not match up to that of his competitors, the Duck talent will have one thing that only a small handful of athletes in this field have -- home track advantage.
17. Peter Smith (Iowa State)
Peter Smith's transition from a former 800-meter man to a metric miler has been remarkably successful. After narrowly missing out on qualifying for the national meet over the half-mile distance on two separate occasions, the Cyclone runner left no room for error in his first season over the longer distance. Smith boasts fantastic speed and his tactical understanding rivals the very best, skills that led him to a silver medal at the highly competitive BIG 12 Championships.
18. Isaac Basten (Drake)
Isaac Basten is no stranger to the intricacies of a championship setting, showcasing his lethal kick and tactical expertise on numerous occasions. Yet, recently, his conservative approach has left him with far too much work to do. If he hopes to capture NCAA gold in Eugene (or come close to it), then he will need to reevaluate his approach.
19. Tomas Palfrey (Oregon)
"Ducks of a feather fly together," and in Tomas Palfrey’s case, he is going to benefit greatly from having teammates Elliot Cook and Rheinhardt Harrison alongside him. Palfrey enters this field as a true underdog given that he was the 39th seed at the West Regional Championships over 1500 meters. However, after obtaining a PR to qualify, Palfrey will be looking to ride this momentum all the way to Hayward Field.
20. Ethan Strand (North Carolina)
Ethan Strand is an athlete who seemingly gets better with every race. The North Carolina ace captured yet another ACC title over 1500 meters this spring (defeating Gary Martin in the process) and has lowered his PR to a breathtaking time of 3:35 this season. Armed with an imposing kick, Strand has everything in his tactical locker to contest for the podium.
21. Gary Martin (Virginia)
Virginia star Gary Martin is as versatile as a Swiss Army knife. His combination of speed, strength and race IQ has allowed him to excel this season in everything from the 800 meters to the 5000 meters. After a fall put his All-American pursuit on hold this past winter, Martin will be hungrier than ever to earn those accolades over a distance which feels like the perfect meeting point for his skillset.
22. Wes Porter (Virginia)
Wes Porter has been an integral part of Virginia's middle distance success over the years and this season, we have seen him flourish on more of an individual level. The Cavalier dipped under 3:40 (1500) for the first time this season and captured a terrific bronze medal at the ACC Championships. Armed with a brilliant change in pace, Porter certainly shouldn’t be discounted as an outside contender to make the finals.
23. Nick Foster (Michigan)
Michigan’s Nick Foster, a seasoned veteran, has firmly established himself as one of the premier middle distance athletes in the BIG 10. Despite not being at his peak this spring, his sharp tactical acumen has secured him a spot for yet another national meet. To continue his hunt for All-American honors, the Wolverine star will need to draw from every ounce of his extensive championship experience and execute his race plan to perfection.
24. Parvej Khan (Florida)
Freshman Parvej Khan has been racing well beyond his years and his furious kick enables him to be a threat no matter where he finds himself with 200 meters to go. A tremendous 1500/800 (1st and 3rd, respectively) double at the SEC Championship showcased that the Gator rookie can not only thrive in a championship setting, but can also handle multiple rounds with ease. Whether the race is fast or slow, Khan’s competitors should be exceptionally wary of him on the bell lap.
