Who is the WORST runner in NCAA history to have won an individual title?

I know this is probably not the right answer but it did make me think whatever happened with Chad Noelle? Is he still running?

I always remember Fred Samoei winning the 2011 indoor 800m.

Of the top 8 indoors in 2010, only Zach Mellon was back - top 8 outdoors I don't think any were in the 2011 indoor race.

Outdoor final that year was loaded with Robby Andrews, Charles Jock, Elijah Greer, Casimir Loxsom, Edward Kemboi, Willie Brown, Ryan Martin.

You didn’t say D1 so probably some D3 guy

Probably a number 7 XC runner.

Maybe Geordie Beamish. I know he has improved since college but at the time of his Mile win in 2019 his career had not been all that great.

The title says individual title.

Impossible to answer this. In 1952, which I randomly looked up, the men’s 10000m was won in 32:25 by Walt Deike of Wisconsin. However 6th place was 35:11. Who the hell knows?

OK so then I googled Walt Dieke of Wisconsin and this pops up:

Unbelievable!

They describe Dr. Walt Deike’s dead fiancée as “a shapely brunette.” It was a different time for sure.

Then a few years later the NCAA champ (whose fiancée was murdered) Dr. Walter Deike drowns.

findagrave.com

Dr Walter Ernst Deike (1921-1963) - Find a Grave...

Los Angeles Man Drowns In Ocean MENDOCINO (UPI) - Sheriff's deputies and volunteers today searched the ocean shoreline of this Mendocino County community for the body of Walter Ernest Deike, 41. Los Angeles, who drowned Monda...

Link:www.findagrave.com/memorial/152350649/...

I'd say you can include Geordie Beamish in the conversation. He won an indoor title, but has no other AA's on the track and only one other Nationals qualification. He AA'd twice in XC, but only by a couple places each time.

At the end of this obituary about Dr. Walt Deike’s brother, Walt’s life and accomplishments are discussed. His body has never been found.

journalstandard.com

OBITUARY: Helmut J.K. Deike

@journalstandard

Helmut Johann Karl Deike, 88, of Prescott, Ariz., passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2009, in the Hospice Care Unit at the VA Hospital in Prescott. He had resided at Peridot Retirement Home on Bradsh…

Link:www.journalstandard.com/story/news/200...

One might be Tara Chaplin of Arizona, who was a fair-middling runner a few seasons who then won 2001 XC then vanished.

Andy Trouard

Teddy Mitchell from Arkansas in the 10k in 1994.

Although his pro track days weren't great due to injuries, his few seasons leading up to the indoor 3k championship were far from bad (to counter version 1 of the question). He ran 13:36 and 3:38 the summer before while unattached. He also was only the #2 seed going into the championship, behind Knight, having run 7:48 to beat Fisher. (We'll ignore the fact that 7:48 doesn't even get you to the championship anymore, lol).

He also ran 13:21 in outdoor after winning the 3k, so its not like he disappeared immediately either. Bummer his track career didn't take off from there, but it looks like he's doing tri's now.

Who is the WORST runner in NCAA history to have won an individual title?

Cece Telfer ffs

I've defended him multiple times, but predicting what others may say

King Ches.

Worldy NCAA career, comparatively underwhelming and injury-ridden pro career so far

While it is not very nice, Chad popped into my head too. For a pretty major event like the 1500, it's suprising how he basically had no pro career of note. Mac Fleet was a similar case who won two champs right before Chad but he was so hampered by injuries as a pro it feels even more unfair. I'll also throw out NCAA XC champ Kennedy Kithuka who won in 2012 and then lost to Ches the next year. Literally never heard of him since then.