Nathan Green, get ready: 25-year-old 3:32 guy Justin Kipkoech expected to enroll at Eastern Kentucky this fall

Do you understand NIL? Regardless of not being American, even if he were, universities will not pony up for a distance athlete.

It’s simple, alumni want to see their football teams win. They’ll pay as much as they can for it. What alumni base understands the difference between 3:32 and 3:52 for 1500?

Wondering what his story is…Really solid athlete, looks impressive in his races and has experience pacing and racing overseas. How’d he get to the US? Who’s he training with? Feels like he could work for someone like Under Armour Dark Sky training with Gourley/Ciattei if he wants to be in the US. Or Brooks Beasts to train with Kerr/Wynne. That’s if these groups see much value in a long-shot for a Kenyan team. That’s worked great for Haas with Lokedi, Kurgat and Ejore. Puma Elite has Kemboi and Ewoi (who should’ve made the 800m team in Kenya possibly if she’d find trials).

Guess the NCAA is OK, but I’d rather see him in a pro group. The top 3 in Kenya is daunting to beat out, but Munguti got 2nd so you never know and this is clearly a talented athlete who could jump to a 3:30 level.

Justin came to the US in January 2024 on a student visa for College of Sequoias (California JUCO.) He ran a few races with them but curiously did not compete at JUCO post season races. Prior to coming, he raced a few Diamond League races, most notably the one where Jakob set the world record. He is in the process of transferring to EKU, a school with a rich history of foreign athletes that often have questionable eligibility.

Many foreign athletes (especially those in East Africa) dodge amateurism violations via management groups. Nike will approach a coach, give him a contract, and then because the brand deal is with the coach, not the athlete, there is no violation. A lot of the foreign athletes in the NCAA nowadays are part of these management groups, which is why they have all the nicest newest gear AND get sent to race Diamond League races in Europe.

His interview answered some Qs. He has been coached by Haron Lagat. He’ll be going to EKU this fall starting with XC. This was his last race and probably gives him a qualifying mark for 2025 Worlds. With all of the NCAA departures at 1500 I like this to see as well have another strong final with Green, Kipkoech, Elliott Cook, Colin Sahlman maybe Gary Martin, Liam Murphy etc.

Dude wouldn't even be old enough until 2026 to start the first of his freshman years at BYU.

Serious question, for D1 and D2 sports isn’t there a time clock that starts on your 20th or 21st birthday? Or did they get rid of that?

It is a really good question. Is there an answer? It would seem to me in distance running, a distinct advantage to bring along more developed, seasoned runners.

for college