Alabama recruits 14:40 5k runner Doris Cherop

surprised she doesn't have a better steeple PR. In the 5k road race that she ran 14:40, she was 5 seconds behind Mekides Abebe, an 8:56 steepler, and 26 seconds ahead of Luiza Gega, a 9:10 steepler. Could just be the elevation at which she competed in Nairobi, so hard to gauge her true steeple fitness

There ate questions about the length of that 5k but she did also run 9:35 steeple.

Questions from who? You?

watchathletics.com

Semi-Marathon Lille 2023 Results | Watch Athletics

Results for the 2023 Semi-Marathon Lille, a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race, on Sunday, March 19.

Open link

That’s a legit event. Kejelcha’s 12:50 is #2 on the World Athletics all time list which I figure means it’s certified.

She beat the Olympic steeplechase champion by 32 seconds…

Yikes. I thought Olemomoi might consider entering the portal since there will be nobody left to train with her after two high profile transfers and one graduation, but I guess I'm wrong.

She could be a serious threat for the NCAA XC individual title in the fall. Valby is going to need to bring her "A" game.

I looked some times of the other runners she was close to and they are pretty legit.

For example, she finished 5 seconds behind Mekides Abebe. Abebe ran 15:01 winning BAA 5k this year (Weini Kelati ran 15:13).

She will be tough to beat. The question for me is if Alabama is going to recruit more to fill their roster.

Flomena Asekol and Amaris Tyynismaa (2 of their top 4) are transferring out of Alabama. Mercy Chelangat graduated.
Hilda Olemomoi is still there.
Who will be Alabama’s top 5?

Wow, interesting. A professional East African athlete that competes in the Diamond League, and evidently was on staff at a university, decides to go to a Div 1 NCAA school.

So NIL is ready to go full tilt, and collegiate amateurism is no more?

Possibly there are more East African pros barely making a living from Athletics that would consider running in the NCAA if NIL (boosters, alumni) money foots the bills.

Another 22 year old freshman. Crimson Tide!

For those tuohy-ites thinking tuohy should stay in the NCAA where there is less competition than in the pro ranks, what say you now?

Joke

Seems the face of NCAA distance running could dramatically change if more and more foreign pro/semi-pros are recruited.

Will she have all 4 years of eligibility?

The NIL money might pay for trips back home to ‘train at altitude’ during breaks.

:). Thats the nuts and bolts of it.

Wonder if Kipchoge and some of his training partners would be interested in running cross-country for a semester or two, in exchange for an honorary degree, of course.

The NCAA women's field is a lot weaker than the men's. A 14:40 5k is not that fast on the world stage, but it is compared to the weak NCAA field.

There are very few "random East African" 22 year old men that could compete for a men's NCAA XC title. You need to be in sub 13:10 shape to win an NCAA XC title these days.

Don't underestimate how capable of ruining athletes Nick and Dan are. Alabama Track and cross programs are mostly a Juco extension and No they still won’t win any titles