Chris Chavez claims winning an NCAA title is bigger than winning World indoors

It’s a terrible podcast.

Nobody takes Chris Chavez very seriously.

Says the guy that's done neither.

The ghost of César Chavez goes home relieved.

Is he related to Cesar Chavez?

Dude, have you seen the big trophy they get for winning at NCAA Indoor Nationals? All they get at World Indoors is a little medal, the same thing people get for finishing 5Ks today. Boring!

I think he’s right. NCAA is clear. Worlds is for boomers

Winning an ncaa title might be bigger than winning a minor medal though. Different discussion though.

Funny, both ncaa and indoor worlds are USAcentric. Most of the world puts focus on outdoor with DL, national championships and regional/world meets when they are on the calendar.

Not to the world. People forget that track is a worldwide sport. Not many people outside the US care about NCAA's.

NCAAs probably include just as many nations as World Indoors at this point TBF, but World Indoors is of course more significant. Why anyone listens to the Citius Soyboys is beyond me.

Re minor medals, depends on the athlete. Gladys Chepngetich or Addy Wiley getting bronze in Poland would be significantly bigger than the former's 800m win in Fayetteville or anything Wiley won in college. Hypothetically, same for Sahlman and Hedengren were they to capture 3000m minor medals this weekend, but I think only gold at World Indoors would trump NCAA XC national titles for someone like Blanks or Lemngole.

Expected to get downvoted but do you think Ryan Hill would rather have his indoor 3K silver or an outdoor 15/5k ncaa title. Which would you be more likely to remember?

I think saying you are World Indoor Champion is truly huge, but I just am being honest that a lot of the minor medalists are quickly forgotten. Most NCAA outdoor champs stick with me a lot longer. It’s nuanced depending on the event/edition too,

Feel like this could almost be true for ncaa xc vs world xc this year

It certainly matters where the athlete is from. I should’ve mentioned that. I think for Addy Wiley a D1 outdoors 800m title vs a bronze at World Indoors is a real debate.

LRC should allow polls in posts. I suspect 80% of people here would rather be an NCAA champ than a world indoor champ.

Playing devil's advocate, I expect you could find years and events where the NCAA has faster times or better marks than at World Indoors, but I'll let someone else figure that out. Maybe there's more passion or enthusiasm at NCAAs than World Indoors, especially because of the team aspect. Still, World Indoors gold has to be more prestigious within the sport than NCAA champion.

The downvotes you’re getting would suggest otherwise. No chance that 80% would pick NCAA champ.