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Transfer Market (Part 96): Nebraska Lands 1:45 (800) Star in Shadrack Chilia While Sergio Del Barrio Enters Transfer Portal
What? You thought we were done with our transfer coverage for the winter months? Nope! Not quite yet.
A large handful of names are still venturing elsewhere. And although we already highlighted the biggest and best distance talents yesterday, we still felt that it was important to mention a few more on-the-move athletes below.
Have a transfer update or tip that you want us to look into? Feel free to email us at contact@thestridereport.com and we'll aim to verify it!
Alright, let's jump into the analysis, shall we?
Shadrack Chilia (Kenya to Nebraska)
Earlier this week, Scholarbook Premier announced via Instagram that Nebraska has signed middle distance star Shadrick Chilia from Kenya. It is unclear what eligibility the newest Cornhusker will have upon entering the NCAA. He will be 21 years old on January 11th.
According to Scholarbook Premier, the incoming Kenyan standout has run a head-turning 800-meter time of 1:45.60 at altitude. That same post shows that Chilia's personal best would then receive an altitude conversion 1:44.60. However, it should be noted that The Stride Report could not find any formal results where Chilia ran 1:45 for 800 meters, instead finding a lone 1:46.66 (800) effort from April of last year.
Even so, it's clear that the Nebraska men now have a top-tier middle distance talent over 800 meters for the upcoming winter and spring months. That's an especially crucial development after Niko Schultz, a 1:47 (800) runner, opted to finish his eligibility with Penn State this past summer.
Over the last few years, the Cornhuskers have been able to land (and develop) a large handful of sneaky-good individual talents. Whether that be Dais Malebana, George Kushe, the aforementioned Niko Schultz and now Chilia, it hasn't been uncommon for a top star to reside in Lincoln, Nebraska.
In the recently-expanded BIG 10, Chilia's injection of middle distance power will be a welcomed development. The BIG 10 is among the very best conferences in the NCAA when it comes to the 800 meters, and that's especially true now that Washington and Oregon are also racing alongside Penn State, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana.
Of course, if Chilia is able to replicate a half-mile time anywhere close to his reported 1:44.60 altitude conversion, then we need to think beyond the conference level. At his absolute best, the raw talent of Chilia is seemingly good enough to be an immediate All-American favorite and, in a best case scenario, a national title threat.
Sergio Del Barrio (Transfer Portal)
One source with access to the transfer portal confirmed with The Stride Report that Oregon's Sergio Del Barrio has entered the transfer portal. Per TFRRS, the soon-to-be former Duck is expected to have two years of cross country eligibility remaining as well as three seasons of indoor track and outdoor track eligibility (each) remaining.
Del Barrio first joined Oregon in the fall of 2023. Since then, the native of Spain has recorded a 3000-meter steeplechase personal best of 8:39, although that mark was run outside of NCAA competition. Del Barrio has also run times of 3:42 (1500), 4:02 (mile) and 8:00 (3k).
As we ponder where Del Barrio could land next, we find ourselves with suggestions that are fairly diverse.
Portland, for instance, could be an ideal landing spot for Del Barrio. Coach Rob Conner has historically done an outstanding job with developing steeplechasers and is plenty familiar with international distance runners. In fact, Spanish steeplechase standout Estanis Ruiz, an 8:21 steeplechaser, has been training under Rob Conner for the last couple of years.
If Del Barrio wanted to remain within the state of Oregon, develop under a proven steeple coach and work with someone who is familiar with international athletes, then Portland is seemingly the perfect spot.
Speaking of international athletes, what about Georgia? Coach Adam Tribble has been no stranger to recruiting names from overseas, specifically those from Europe, throughout his coaching career at both California Baptist and now Georgia.
Plus, the Bulldog men have a very thin and limited cross country roster. Simply having another name to fill a lineup gap, even if Del Barrio hasn't been amazing during the fall months, would still be a welcomed addition for Georgia.
And how about Georgetown? The Hoyas are no stranger to signing transfers, they are historically excellent in the steeplechase, they have often turned track-centric transfers into meaningful cross country pieces and they are no strangers to having international names (specifically Europeans) on their roster.
On paper, Del Barrio would be absolutely perfect for the Hoyas.
Yes, it's true, BYU is also a powerhouse in the steeplechase, but the Cougars don't often pursue transfers. They also have a clear preference to build their roster throughout domestic talent rather than international names.
Evaline Chepkoech (Tulane to Stephen F. Austin)
Back in mid-December, Stephen F. Austin announced that they have signed middle distance runner Evaline Chepkoech from the transfer portal. Per TFRRS, the now-former Tulane runner is expected to have three years of eligibility remaining between both indoor track and outdoor track.
It should be noted that Chepkoech was first recruited to the NCAA by Arizona State before transferring to Tulane this past summer. She did not compete on the grass this past fall.
During her time with the Sun Devils last winter and spring, Chepkoech was quietly productive as just a rookie. The newest SFA middle distance runner posted an 800-meter time of 2:05.82 (at altitude) at the BIG 12 Indoor Championships, eventually placing 5th in the finals. She also qualified for the West Regional Championships last spring over 800 meters where she ended her season in the prelims.
Prior to joining the collegiate ranks, Chepkoech had produced a 2:04 (800) personal best and was a U20 World Championship qualifier.
Stephen F. Austin has been unafraid to pursue international names over the last couple of years and Chepkoech is another example of that. She'll now venture to the Southland Conference, a league which had no woman run faster than 2:07 (800) last spring or 2:09.98 (800) last winter.
In other words, Chepkoech will be a heavy favorite to emerge as a multi-time Southland Conference champion over 800 meters for the foreseeable future. That could be huge for a Stephen F. Austin women's team that finished in the middle of the standings at the 2025 Southland Conference Indoor & Outdoor Championships.
Other Notable Transfers & Signings
Teegan Anderson (Tennessee to Florida Atlantic)
A former Missouri runner and now-former Tennessee runner is heading to Florida Atlantic with a 4:47 mile PR. That will be a welcomed development for an FAU program which has a school record mile time of 4:51 from last winter.
Oliver Hamm (Australia to Loyola (IL))
The 20-year old Aussie is venturing to Loyola (IL) with times of 8:07 (3k) and 14:25 (5k). Oliver Hamm will be a strong developmental name for a Ramblers' distance squad that made some noise this past fall and nearly positioned themselves to qualify for the NCAA XC Championships. And over time, Hamm could emerge as a high-impact scorer Loyola.
Tessa Ebert (Australia to Florida State)
Yet another talented Aussie who is coming to the NCAA, Tessa Ebert has run strong times of 2:07 (800), 4:25 (1500), 9:24 (3k), 16:11 (5k roads) and 10:50 (steeple). That versatility should prove valuable as Florida State looks to solidify their roster around long distance ace Rylee Blade over the long-term.
Trey Caldwell (Colorado to Arkansas)
A former high school star out of California, Trey Caldwell ran excellent times of 8:53 (3200) and 14:49 (5k XC) during his time as a prep athlete. However, after one semester at Colorado where he did not race, Caldwell is venturing to an Arkansas team that desperately needed more depth and a long-term developmental piece.
Jessiel Paez (Ecuador to Portland)
Ecuadorian distance talent Jessiel Paez is heading to Portland with times of 8:14 (3k), 14:06 (5k) and 29:54 (10k). The U20 South American champion over 3000 meters and 5000 meters should prove to be a valuable depth piece and an eventual high-impact scorer on the grass. Coach Rob Conner has also proven to be a highly effective developer of international talent throughout his career.
Bilal Nour (United Kingdom to Portland)
The incoming Pilot has posted a 3000-meter time of 8:09 in what is being described as, "his second year of competitive running," by Portland. If Nour is only just realizing his ceiling, then the overseas runner could be hugely impactful name in the latter portion of his time in the NCAA.
Ronni Strzynski (UC-Santa Cruz to Miami (OH))
A still-young distance runner who previously attended UC-Santa Cruz, Ronni Strzynski will venture closer to her home state of Indiana by attending Miami (OH).
Madison Hill (Houston to Stephen F. Austin)
An underclassman out of Houston, Madison Hill will give Stephen F. Austin a developmental name who could eventually make her way onto the Lumberjacks' cross country lineup in the latter stages of her college career.
