2015 NCAA Men's Mile Preview
2015 NCAA Men's Mile Preview
Anthony Rotich, UTEP (PB 3:55.86*/3:39.16*)
Last Year: 1st Indoors, 1st 3kST Outdoors
The defending NCAA Mile Champion (and 2x steeple winner) is coming off a polished XC season that saw him finishing 11th at NCAAs and winning three other races this fall. While his win in Albuquerque may have come as a surprise to some, Rotich knew he had the tools to win at altitude. A month prior, he recorded his PB 4:01 at altitude, which converted to the second-fastest time in the NCAA last season. He’s got wheels, and he will not be afraid to use them.
Jordan Williamsz, Villanova (PB 3:56.84/3:36.74)
Last Year: 8th Indoors, 5th Outdoors
Williamsz is the cream of the Aussie middle-distance crop at Villanova, and he’s looking more like a distance runner these days. He finished 58th at NCAA XC, 147 spots better than 2013, and third at the Big East Conference Championships. This IAAF World Relays competitor has 800m speed, and combined with cross country strength, will be a major threat this year.
Sam Penzenstadler, Loyola (PB 3:58.21/3:39.77)
Last Year: 7th Indoors, 3rd Outdoors
Penzenstadler was an under-the-radar competitor before 2014, now everybody knows this Loyola stud. After an impressive third-place in Eugene, Penzenstadler had an outstanding cross county season, culminating in his third-place finish at NCAA Midwest, thus qualifying for the NCAA Championships. Having that base from the fall should give him more strength for indoor season, and reassurance that he belongs at the top.
Last Year: 1st Indoors, 1st 3kST Outdoors
The defending NCAA Mile Champion (and 2x steeple winner) is coming off a polished XC season that saw him finishing 11th at NCAAs and winning three other races this fall. While his win in Albuquerque may have come as a surprise to some, Rotich knew he had the tools to win at altitude. A month prior, he recorded his PB 4:01 at altitude, which converted to the second-fastest time in the NCAA last season. He’s got wheels, and he will not be afraid to use them.
Jordan Williamsz, Villanova (PB 3:56.84/3:36.74)
Last Year: 8th Indoors, 5th Outdoors
Williamsz is the cream of the Aussie middle-distance crop at Villanova, and he’s looking more like a distance runner these days. He finished 58th at NCAA XC, 147 spots better than 2013, and third at the Big East Conference Championships. This IAAF World Relays competitor has 800m speed, and combined with cross country strength, will be a major threat this year.
Sam Penzenstadler, Loyola (PB 3:58.21/3:39.77)
Last Year: 7th Indoors, 3rd Outdoors
Penzenstadler was an under-the-radar competitor before 2014, now everybody knows this Loyola stud. After an impressive third-place in Eugene, Penzenstadler had an outstanding cross county season, culminating in his third-place finish at NCAA Midwest, thus qualifying for the NCAA Championships. Having that base from the fall should give him more strength for indoor season, and reassurance that he belongs at the top.
Rich Peters, Boston U (PB 3:56.04/3:37.67)
Last Year: 4th Indoors, 15th Outdoors
The collegiate record holder for 1,000m is back for his final season of indoor track after an impressive 2014. Peters was a Commonwealth Games Team England member this summer, which should give him confidence in big races. He has been a consistent elite miler at Boston, breaking 4:00 each season. With no Lawi Lalang or Mac Fleet, could Peters be the next NCAA Champion?
Will Geoghegan, Oregon (PB 3:58.04/3:44.88)
Last Year: 5th Indoors, N/A Outdoors
Geoghegan’s excellent indoor season in 2014 (Sub 4 mile and 7:51 for 3k) at Dartmouth showed his impressive mile chops. Now sporting the Oregon Duck uniform, Geoghegan is armed with the best training partners in the country and ready to improve from his top-5 finish in 2014.
Last Year: 4th Indoors, 15th Outdoors
The collegiate record holder for 1,000m is back for his final season of indoor track after an impressive 2014. Peters was a Commonwealth Games Team England member this summer, which should give him confidence in big races. He has been a consistent elite miler at Boston, breaking 4:00 each season. With no Lawi Lalang or Mac Fleet, could Peters be the next NCAA Champion?
Will Geoghegan, Oregon (PB 3:58.04/3:44.88)
Last Year: 5th Indoors, N/A Outdoors
Geoghegan’s excellent indoor season in 2014 (Sub 4 mile and 7:51 for 3k) at Dartmouth showed his impressive mile chops. Now sporting the Oregon Duck uniform, Geoghegan is armed with the best training partners in the country and ready to improve from his top-5 finish in 2014.
Izaic Yorks, Washington (PB 3:59.04/3:42.29)
Last Year: 15th Indoors, 21st Outdoors
Yorks had about as good a freshman year as anyone could want. Except he probably wanted more. He was an indoor and outdoor qualifier in the mile/1500m, but failed to make the finals. However, breaking 4:00 as a freshman, and following with an impressive 3:42.29 during outdoor season is no joke. That one year of learning will be huge for Yorks, who improved drastically during cross country, going from 91st to 57th at the adidas Wisconsin Invite.
Last Year: 15th Indoors, 21st Outdoors
Yorks had about as good a freshman year as anyone could want. Except he probably wanted more. He was an indoor and outdoor qualifier in the mile/1500m, but failed to make the finals. However, breaking 4:00 as a freshman, and following with an impressive 3:42.29 during outdoor season is no joke. That one year of learning will be huge for Yorks, who improved drastically during cross country, going from 91st to 57th at the adidas Wisconsin Invite.