2015 NCAA Men's DMR Preview
2015 NCAA Men's DMR Preview
University of Oregon (PB in 2014 9:28.91)
Last Year: 2nd Indoors
Despite losing All-Americans Mac Fleet and Trevor Dunbar, this team is just as good, if not better than they were in 2014. Ideally, Edward Cheserek (3:36 1500m) would anchor like he did at Penn Relays, but the Ducks don’t necessarily need him to win the DMR. New to Oregon in 2015 are former Ivy Leaguers John Gregorek (4:01) and Will Geohegan (3:58), who should occupy the 1200m and 1600m legs, respectively. But keep in mind, this team can roll out the best runner in the NCAA if they feel so inclined.
Penn State University (PB in 2014 9:26.59)
Last Year: 11th Indoors
The Nittany Lions ran the 2nd fastest DMR in NCAA history (9:26.59), but were a huge disappointment at NCAAs with their 11th place finish. Penn State has routinely run incredibly fast in this event only to stumble at nationals, so the pressure is on this squad to finally live up to expectations. Luckily for PSU, they return three of their four runners from 2014, including 3:38 man Brandon Kidder and 3:57 miler Robby Creese.
Villanova University (PB in 2014 9:28.06)
Last Year: 9th Indoors
Nova has accumulated a wealth of mid-distance talent over the last few years that has made for a dangerous DMR squad. The Wildcats finished 9th last season, but they return 3:40 1500m man Jordan Williamsz and get to replace 3:57 miler Sam McEntee with 3:41 guy Robert Denault. How convenient.
Stanford University (PB in 2014 9:28.63*)
Last Year: 1st Indoors
Don’t forget about the champs. Anchor Michael Atchoo is gone, but everyone else returns for a team that dominated at NCAAs in 2014. The 400/800 legs are a huge strength for the Cardinal, as they roll out 45.65 guy Steven Solomon and a 1:47 800 runner in Luke Lefebure. No word on who will replace Atchoo in the 1600, but redshirt freshman Sean McGorty has run 4-flat in the mile and just finished up a solid cross country season.
Indiana University (PB in 2014 9:27.72)
Last Year: 3rd Indoors
The Hoosiers bring back everyone from their 2014 team that placed third at NCAAs and ran 9:27.72. Indiana is not great at one particular leg, but they get the job done with 4-flat miler Rorey Hunter, a mid-47 man in Derrick Morgan, as well two solid mid-distance guys in Tretez Kinnaird (2:23 k) and Jordan Gornall (2:24 k). Like any one of the teams above them, the boys from Bloomington could make a run at the NCAA record (9:25.97) in 2015.
Georgetown University (PB in 2014 9:29.11)
Last Year: 10th Indoors
The Hoyas return their full squad from 2014 which ran 9:29.11, the #7 time in NCAA history. Amos Bartelsmeyer (2:22 k) and Ahmed Bile (2:21 k) give Georgetown excellent lead-off and anchor legs, but these guys have flown under the radar on the national scene. If this young group can stay healthy, we expect to hear a lot more from them in 2015.
University of Arkansas (PB in 2014 9:29.37)
Last Year: 7th Indoors
We have the Razorbacks as the dark horse for now because we’re not exactly sure who will anchor for them this season. 2013 anchor Kemoy Campbell (4:00) returns after a year-long hiatus, but we have no idea what kind of shape he’s in since we’ve haven't seen him since NCAA XC 2013. What we do know is that Arkansas has Patrick Rono (1:46.46) and Tomas Squella (1:46.76), two All-Americans that are proven in championship races. Rono was the anchor in 2014, but his talents would be better utilized in the 1200 so that Campbell could fill that spot. This team will also have home track advantage when they toe the line for NCAAs in March.