Northern Arizona University’s Nico Young put a fitting end to his indoor season at the NCAA Championships, earning titles in both the 3000 meters and 5000 meters.
Young’s first individual title of his collegiate career came on the Championships’ opening night. Following a slate of sprints and middle distances semifinal races, the distance specialists took to the track for the 5000m. Just 13 minutes and 25 seconds later, he would be crowned champion, finishing two seconds ahead of Parker Wolfe (13:27.37, UNC) and Ky Robinson (13:27.79, Stanford) for second and third, respectively.
On the second day of competition, Young once again toed the line, this time in the 3000 meters. Fresh off his 5k championship from the night before, he was the fourth seed for the 3k. Through 2000 meters, Nico held close to the race leader before making a big move with three laps to go putting a sizable gap on the field. Though Wolfe stayed within striking distance, Young’s lead was too much to make up.
Young earned his second national title in as many days, finishing the 3000 meter race in 7:41.01, an NCAA Championship meet record. UNC’s Parker Wolfe finished runner-up (7:42.38) with Alex Maier (Oklahoma State, 7:44.68) rounding out the podium.
After the race, Nico Young told ESPN’s John Anderson, “I think I am at a point where my fitness is lining up well with my ability to access it…especially after having a rough year last year, definitely coming at this a lot less stressed.”
Earlier this season, Young was the first collegian to ever run faster than 13 minutes for the 5k, accomplishing the feat at the BU Terrier Classic in January.
