Edward Cheserek Steals the Show

The big talk going into the NCAA championships out in Alberquerque, New Mexico was about Lawi Lalang from Arizona who would be attempting a historic triple over the mile, 3k and 5k. Lalang had dominated indoor nationals the previous two years. First he won the 3k and the 5k over a quality field that included Cam Levins and Chris Derrick in the prime of their NCAA careers. The following year he won the mile and the 3k in a pair of meet record times beating out guys like Ryan Hill and Chris O'Hare who had run some of the fastest times in NCAA history in those events. Lalang spent the next sprint running 3:33.20 for 1500m and 13:00.95 for 5000m, giving him far and away the best marks in the nation. He dominated all winter, destroying the competition and running 3:52.88 for the mile, a new NCAA indoor record.

Everything seemed to be setting up perfectly for Lawi. He did a lot of training at altitude and NCAAs would be held at altitude. He had easily the best mile time this year indoors of anyone in the country. He had shown superior tactics and ability in the longer events where he won his races handily in dominating fashion. In most people's eyes, the triple seemed not only possible, but probable. Who would be able to stop him?

King Eddy Ches that's who.

Lawi's tripling hype never was able to gain traction this weekend as after Lawi easily won his mile prelim, he toed the line for the 5k against the freshman from Oregon. Cheserek, who pulled off the upset in cross country over heavy favorite Kennedy Kithuka, sat in on Lawi's shoulder as Lawi set a pulverizing pace. Cheserek just looked easy on his shoulder, constantly adjusting his jersey, checking his footing and looking around. Lawi looked focused and determined. He had the burden of pressure to carry, Ed was just out there with nothing to lose.

Lalang had easily broken away from everyone in the field besides Cheserek by the time they began the final mile of the race. Despite his best efforts, Lawi couldn't shake Ches. As they dropped down the pace another notch to sub 4 minute mile pace, Lawi continued to hammer and Ches continued to sit. Then, all of a sudden, with 300m to go Cheserek put on an unreal surge. He put out a massive surge and went straight by Lalang who was dumbstruck by the move. He had no response quick enough as suddenly Cheserek was blazing his way around the track. In the final 300m Cheserek opened up an astounding 6 seconds on Lawi. He closed in 25.90 seconds for the final 200m. Lawi had assumed, even if he hadn't dropped Cheserek, he would at least be as tired as he was. He was dead wrong.

And just like that the magic and invincibility of Lawi was gone. The possibility of the triple was gone. And quickly the meet became Ed's moment. Lalang was outkicked in the open mile by Anthony Rotich of UTEP in another surprise upset and a discouraged Lawi did not even toe the line for the 3000m a few hours later.

Meanwhile, Cheserek lined up for the 3k with a pair of teammates and a new black jersey to contrast his white jersey from the previous day. Oregon needed a big day in the 3k to lock up a surprise upset of Florida and Arkansas and clinch the team title. King Eddy Ches did not disappoint. He positioned himself beautifully throughout, eased his way to the front and once more blasted away from the field like he was shot out of a cannon on the bell lap, running another 25 second closing 200m. All of this was done way up at Altitude as well. Trevor Dunbar grabbed a few more points in 5th and locked up a team title for the Ducks. It was a fantastic moment for Edward the U of O.

For Oregon, they finished the meet with the title on both the men's and women's side, showcasing how a distance heavy squad can win a national title. 20 points from Ches, 8 from the DM, 6 from Stintson, and 4 more from Dunbar (who anchored the DM). It was a huge reassertion of dominance from the Ducks.

Meanwhile, Cheserek looked unreal against the rest of the NCAA. He honestly remained me of the races I've seen from guys like Bekele and Geb. Go watch a video of these guys run and then go watch Cheserek. All of a sudden, even off quick fractions, the little guy turns it on to another gear that no one can touch. Sure one group of guys is doing it on a world level and the other an NCAA meet, but Cheserek looks like a flat out beast that I don't ever remember seeing before.

Going forward, first off I have to say that Ches's english is getting better. It's only a matter of time before Oregon and Nike are pushing this kid towards US citizenship (in Kenya he would be probably 12th on the depth chart for the 5k team or something like that) and Edward Cheserek may be the USA's next great hope for a medal in Rio in the 2016 5000m.

I don't mean to get too carried away, there is still plenty that has to happen and it is just indoor afterall. But the U of O guys know how to coach em up and this guy is the best raw talent the school has scene. At the end of the day he may be the best Oregon distance runner ever.

That means better than Galen Rupp. And that means better than Steve Prefontaine.