Regionals Preview

By Garrett Zatlin

Two meets are the only thing that separates us from watching the top collegiates in the nation go at it in one big showdown! However, the eastern and western preliminaries are sure to be interesting. There will be surprising scratches and big names wont make the cut…and that’s what makes it that much fun.

Below are the preliminary entries for each event. These sheets are what I’m going off of…

Eastern Region Preliminary Entries

Western Region Preliminary Entries

*Note: Keep in mind that only the top 12 advance and that the races become extremely tactical. While I’m trying my best to predict where everyone will place, I’m more focused on the top 12 that will move on to Eugene. 

800

East Region

There aren’t too many surprises here in terms of who’s entered. However, that just means that the field will be extremely deep. Brannon Kidder (PSU) leads the field with a time of 1:45.58 with McBride and Amankwah close behind in 1:45.87 and 1:45.91. There’s no reason to believe that these three established aces wont go through. After that it gets a little tricky. The sophomores of this field are scattered with talent and varying levels of experience. Engels, Arroyo, Capwell, and Murphy are favorites of mine to move on while other sophomores like Lahbi, Henderson, and Piazza may lack big stage experience. Brendon Fish ofColumbia is my sleeper to make it out of regionals. 

12. Julian Parker (LSU) ​​6. Clayton Murphy (Akron)

11. Brendon Fish (Columbia)​5. Billy Ledder (Georgetown)

10. Andres Arroyo (Florida)​​4. Jesse Garn (Binghamton)

9. Dylan Capwell (Monmouth)​3. Brannon Kidder (PSU)

8. Craig Engels (Ole Miss.)​​2. Alex Amankwah (Alabama)

7. Ryan Schnulle (Florida)​​1. Brandon McBride (Miss. St.)

PA Alum to watch: Chris Sanders (LaSalle)

West Region

Upon analysis, this field lacks the depth and firepower that the East region does. Shaquille Walker (BYU) has the fastest time with a 1:45.78. However, it is the favorite Edward Kemboi (Iowa St.), that will grab the attention. He is currently seeded at a 1:46.17. Trying to pick the rest of the top 12 is a little harder. Jesse Jorgensen (Wash St.) ran a huge PR of 1:46.17 at PAC 12’s but hasn’t shown anything close to that before then. The same goes for Patrick Peterson of Iowa State who has only broken 1:50 once this season (1:48.14). While their past racing has been spotty, guys like Hartle, Kibet, Low, and Hernandez have been consistently throwing down good times. PA’s Luke Lefebure is also seeded at 8th and has an excellent chance at making it out to NCAA’s. My sleeper in this race is Will Crocker of Missouri.

12. Brandon Moore (Baylor)​6. Joe McAsey (Illinois)

11. Jesse Jorgenson (Wash. St.)​5. Ricky Faure (Wyoming)

10. Luke Lefebure (Stanford)​4. Collins Kibet (Arizona)

9. Chris Low (Long Beach St.)​3. Nick Hartle (UCLA)

8. Will Crocker (Missouri)​​2. Shaquille Walker (BYU)

7. Hector Hernandez (Texas A&M)​1. Edward Kemboi (Iowa St.)

PA alum to watch: Luke Lefebure (Stanford)

1500

East Region

The man who took down Cheserek headlines this race with his 3:39.53. However, Jordy Williamsz (Villanova) is not the fastest man in this field. Robby Creese (PSU) has that honor with a time of 3:39.02. I expect the race to be a sit and kick with these two going 1-2. The rest of the field consists of mainly Georgetown and Villanova men battling for the top 12 spots. Graham Crawford will contend for a spot with back-to-back impressive 1500’s on his resume. However, his poor performance in a tactical ACC 1500worries me about how he’ll perform later on. Consistency has been big with guys like Hunter and Holden and I’m hoping they’ll show up big time. There are plenty other names out there that I’m banking on based off of their consistency. My sleeper pick for this race is PA’s own, Nate McClafferty (Duke).

While it’s important to figure out who the top 12 will be, we must also ask what could’ve been. Thomas Awad (Penn) and Justyn Knight (Syracuse) both shockingly drop the 1500 for the 5000. My thoughts are that this year was simply too deep even with their blistering times and they are going to prepare themselves for next year. Smart move on their part? That is to be determined.

12. Dusty Solis (Villanova)​​6. Robert Denault (Villanova)

11. Simon Holden (Wake Forest) ​5. Rorey Hunter (Indiana)

10. Cole Williams (Georgetown)​4. Ahmed Bile (Georgetown) 

9. Nate McClafferty (Duke)​​3. Amos Bartelsmeyer (Georgetown)

8. Graham Crawford (NCST)​​2. Robby Creese (PSU)

7. Mike Marsella (UVA)​​1. Jordy Williamsz (Villanova)

PA alum to watch: Nate McClafferty (Duke), Ned Willig (Brown)

While it’s important to figure out who the top 12 will be, we must also ask what could’ve been. Thomas Awad (Penn) and Justyn Knight (Syracuse) both shockingly drop the 1500 for the 5000. My thoughts are that this year was simply too deep even with their blistering times and they are going to prepare themselves for next year. Smart move on their part? That is to be determined…

West Region

It’s tough to put into words just how stacked this field is. Four men in this field have run under 3:40. Noelle, Soratos, Joyce, and Winn make up those four who have dipped under the mark with Peter Callahan only .37 seconds away from it. Throw in the rise of Blake Haney, the PAC 12 champ Izaic Yorks, and PA alum Tom Coyle and this field just got real interesting. What about Adam Palamer (Tulsa) and David Elliot (Boise St.)? Palamer has run 3:41.60 this season with his next best time (ever) being a 3:45.41. Elliot has only broke 3:50 once this season. While he did run 3:41.61, he never got close to there again. I’m not loving results like that and makes me think twice about putting them in my top 12. My sleeper in this race goes to frosh, Joe Hardy of Wisconsin. 

12. Joe Hardy (Wisconsin)​​6. Daniel Winn (Oregon)

11. Tom Coyle (Stanford)​​5. Peter Callahan (New Mexico)

10. Jake Hurysz (Colorado)​​4. Johnny Gregorek (Oregon)

9. Blake Haney (Oregon) ​​3. Thomas Joyce (California)

8. Izaic Yorks (Washington)​​2. Chad Noelle (OKST)

7. Ben Saarel (Colorado)​​1. Cristian Soratos (Montana St.)

PA alum to watch: Thomas Coyle (Stanford)

In all of this hype, we might seem to forget that one stud is missing. Did Kirubel Erassa actually drop the 1500? You bet he did and he did it in favor of the 5000. Wouldn’t be my choice but that’s just me. Along with Erassa was Sean McGorty who decided the 5k was also his best choice. 

3000St.

East Region

Having never run the steeplechase and having just starting to follow it this season, it’s tough to say exactly who should get in. However, I really like FSU’s Zak Seddon and what he’s done this season by grabbing wins left and right. I honestly believe he has a chance to threaten Kebenei if NCAA’s becomes too tactical. However, he’ll also have to deal with the 1 and 2 seeds ahead of him. Ole Hessebjerg (Eastern Kentucky) and Edwin Kibichiy (Louisville) have run 8:33.22 and 8:33.78 respectively this season. They will be part of the massive pack attempting to take down Kebenei. Other guys I’m really looking for are Mason Ferlic (Michigan) and Kyle King (UVA). Both have run decently throughout the year but have really excelled at this event. I’m also looking at PA’s Ryan Gil to step up and grab spot to Oregon. My sleeper goes Penn’s Nick Tuck.

12. Stuart Robertson (Virginia Tech)​6. Nick Tuck (Penn)

11. Joshua Roche (Indiana)​​​5. Kyle King (UVA)

10. Darren Fahy (Georgetown)​​4. Mason Ferlic (Michigan)

9. Ryan Gil (Georgetown)​​​3. Ole Hessebjerg (Eastern Kentucky)

8. Mark Parrish (Florida) ​​​2. Edwin Kibichiy (Louisville)

7. Jakob Abrahamsen (Eastern. Kentucky) 1. Zak Seddon (FSU)

PA alum to watch: Ryan Gil (Georgetown), Daniel Jaskowak (Virginia Tech)

West Region

Stanley Kebenei of Arkansas is the man everyone is watching in this event. He has dominated this event this season with a time of 8:23.93. The next closest is roughly 10 seconds off. While we all know who the favorite is, the other names draw some attention. After solid performances in almost every event, the mid distance specialist, Anthony Rotich (UTEP) has decided the 3kSt is for him. He holds a time of 8:39.70. The second seed is Emil Blomberg (UT-Arlington) who ran an unexpected 8:36.98 in mid April. Blake Theroux brings two other teammates with him in this event. He ran 8:43.77 back in early April at the Stanford Invite. I’m also interested to see how Connor Winter (Colordao) does in the big race along with Penn Relays champ Isaac Spencer of Texas A&M. My sleeper choice isTanguy Pepiot (Oregon), or better known as, “the runnerwho celebrated too early”. 

12. Steven Flint (BYU)​​​6. Colby Wilson (Utah St.)

11. Isaac Spencer (Texas A&M)​​5. Frankline Tonui (Arkansas)

10. Tanguy Pepiot (Oregon)​​​4. Emil Blomberg (UT-Arlington)

9. Adam Peterman (Colorado)​​3. Blake Theroux (Colorado)

8. Mike Hardy (Weber St.)​​​2. Anthony Rotich (UTEP)

7. Connor Winter (Colorado)​​1. Stanley Kebenei (Arkansas)

5000

East Region

The top three in this race could make it exciting. As mentioned above, Knight and Awad have both opted out of the 1500 for the 5000. Awad has run 13:33.29 while Knight has run 13:34.86. They will most likely battle it out with Virginia Tech’s Thomas Curtin who has put together some excellent wins and has a season best of 13:44.03. Behind this trio things get interesting with guys going on the double. Mason Ferlic (Michigan) and Graham Crawford (NCST) are two of those men. I’m not sure how well these two will hold up to the challenging double (although they do get a full day’s rest) but I feel like Ferlic will do well.Rich Peters (Boston U.) deserves some love as he has run 13:46.06 this season. Let’s also not forget about Kentucky’s Robert Sandlin who beat out Craig Lutz for the Penn Relays 5k title. As for my sleeper in this race, Ryan Mahalsky (Lehigh) will place 11th and head to nationals.

12. Colin Bennie (Syracuse)​​​6. Patrick Tiernan (Villanova)

11. Ryan Mahalsky (Lehigh)​​​5. Rick Peters (Boston U.)

10. Jacob Thomson (NCST)​​​4. Robert Sandlin (Kentucky)

9. Mason Ferlic (Michigan)​​​3. Thomas Curtin (Virginia Tech)

8. Willy Fink (Eastern Michigan)​​2. Thomas Awad (Penn)

7. Michael Clevenger (Notre Dame)​​1. Justyn Knight (Syracuse)

PA alum to watch: Glen Burkhardt (PSU), Matt Fischer (PSU)

West Region

The west region continues to stay fast with a slew of excellent talent throughout the entire field. Kemoy Campbell (Arkansas) holds the fastest time in the field with an eye-opening 13:20.39. While his time may be impressive, it’s the duo of Cheserek and Jenkins that will be gaining the attention as they look to capitalize on their successful indoor season. The duo will have their hands full, with a star-studded field from three powerhouses of Oregon, Stanford, Colorado. Kemoy Campbell, Kirubel Erassa, and Sam Stabler are the only three in the top 12entries not from Oregon, Colorado, or Stanford. Don’t forget that McGorty and Erassa dropped the 1500 for this event so they will be gunning for the front. In a field full of stars only 12 can move on. Futsum Zienasellassie (Northern Arizona) is one of the stars and is my sleeper for this event.

12. Futsum Zienasellassie (N. Arizona)​6. Sean McGorty (Stanford)

11. Jack Keelan (Stanford)​​​5. Pierce Murphy (Colorado)

10. Will Geoghegan (Oregon)​​4. Kirubel Erassa (OKST)

9. Erik Olson (Stanford)​​​3. Eric Jenkins (Oregon)

8. Sam Stabler (Lamar)​​​2. Edward Cheserek (Oregon)

7. Morgan Pierson (Colorado)​​1. Kemoy Campbell (Akransas)

10,000

East Region

While the field may not be as fast as the west on paper, there are still plenty of hidden gems. Martin Hehir of Syracuse is the top dog amongst him competition with a time of 28:27.70 he ran at the Stanford Invite. Hehir won’t have to race too hard to grab a top 12 spot since only six others in the field have broken 29 minutes. John Mascari (Indiana St.) and Dan Lennon (Syracuse) are the second and third seeds in the field with times of 28:38.22 and 28:46.21. Matt McClintock of Perdue has run some excellent 10k’s this season and has put some wins on his resume as well. I’m excited to see how he’ll perform. Brandon Lord of Georgia has been relatively quiet this season after such an outstanding indoor season that ended with a somewhat disappointing championship race. I’m hoping he can rebound and redeem himself here. Penn Relays 10k champion, Ty McCormack (Auburn), will also make an effort to get to Eugene. PA alum Jake Kildoo(Notre Dame) has been putting together some decent performances and he has a strong shot at making it to NCAA’s. Lawrence Kipkoech (Campbell) has to be my sleeper based on solid 5k credentials.

12. Zach Herriott (UVA)​​​6. Reed Kamyszek (Syracuse)

11. Jake Kildoo (Notre Dame)​​5. Kieran Clements (Iona)

10. Lawrence Kipkoech (Campbell)​​4. John Mascari (Indiana St.)

9. Brandon Lord (Georgia)​3. Matt McClintock (Perdue)

8. Evan Esselink (Indiana)​​​2. Dan Lennon (Syracuse)

7. Ty McCormack (Auburn)​​​1. Martin Hehir (Syracuse)

PA alum to watch: Jake Kildoo (Notre Dame), Glen Burkhardt (PSU), Brendan Shearn (Penn)

West Region

Jason Witt has been one of my favorite runners since I started to closely follow the collegiate scene. The guy has guts and his field leading 27:54.25 shows that. The senior from BYU has a time that’s roughly 36 seconds faster than the second seed Marc Scott from Tulsa who has put together some no-joke performances this season. That just shows what kind of level Witt is on. Unfortunately, nothing is easy in life and Witt will have to face the Oregon duo of none other than Eddy Ches and Jenkins. These three will most likely follow each through the line without too much difficulty. Craig Lutz of Texas may not have the 5k speed people once thought he had, but his 10k’s have been consistently great this season. The Longhorn will have to deal with a crowded field that includes Kemoy Campbell (who is attempting the 5k/10k double), Futsum Z (5k/10k double), Matt McElroy, Garrett Sweatt, and Pierce Murphy (5k/10k double). While most of these guys are doubling, so is Lutz. This might be in the back of their minds the day before the 5k. My sleeper for this race is a deep one. Malachy Schrobilgen from Wisconson will get a top 12 spot and head to nationals. 

12. Malachy Schrobilgen (Wisconsin)​6. Kemoy Campbell (Arkansas)

11. Scott Fauble (Portland)​​​5. Marc Scott (Tulsa)

10. Matt McElroy (N. Arizona)​​4. Pierce Murphy (Colorado)

9. Garrett Sweatt (Stanford)​3. Eric Jenkins (Oregon)

8. Craig Lutz (Texas)​​​​2. Edward Cheserek (Oregon)

7. Futsum Zienasellassie (N. Arizona)​1. Jason Witt (BYU)

*Don’t hate me for not picking Moussa. He just wasn’t doing it for me. 

That’s all I’ve got! So let me hear it… who do you think will go on and who you think is taking a ride back home? Let me know below.

June 10th it all starts. 

Get ready,

Garrett