Stride Nation - 2016 NCAA Division I Indoor ChampionshipsSB Nation's running community and news blog.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50073/stride-fav.png2016-03-13T07:31:17-07:00http://www.stridenation.com/rss/stream/109700392016-03-13T07:31:17-07:002016-03-13T07:31:17-07:00NCAA Indoor Championship Recap
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<img alt="Celebration in Eugene" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/n8Rm6PEvUH88Mk3XjyvsNBoYTeM=/0x172:2012x1513/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49064105/GettyImages-515179496.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Celebration in Eugene | Ethan Miller/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Breaking down this weekends action</p> <p>The NCAA indoor championships are over after an action packed two days, and the Oregon Ducks won both the men's and women's championships. Oregon defeated Arkansas on both sides, with margins of 3 points for the women and 23 points for the men. There were plenty of great performances during the meet and plenty of injuries that frustrated the athletes and the fans. So what were the most exciting races of the meet? Let's break them down.</p>
<h3>Women's 4x400</h3>
<p>The last event tends to add some extra drama. Heading into the race, Oregon had a 5 point lead on Arkansas, but both teams had a relay entered in the race. This quick race was intense, as both Arkansas and Oregon were fighting for the top spot until the end. Arkansas finished second behind Texas, and Oregon was right behind in third place. With the 2-3 finish, Oregon won the title narrowly over the Razorbacks. What a finish.</p>
<h3>Men's 800</h3>
<p>The Junior from Akron pulled it off! Many people predicted that Akron's Clayton Murphy would win the 800 after Texas A&M's Brazier dropped out. The race was wild and fast, with the top four runners all under 1:48.00. Middle Tennessee State's Eliud Rutto but a strong challenge in, but Murphy won the race right at the finish.</p>
<h3>Men's and Women's 3k</h3>
<p>I'm putting these two together because two athletes completely stole the show. Both Molly Siedel and Edward Cheserek won every race they entered this weekend and had a combined five national championships between them. Siedel won the women's 5k on Friday with a blistering 15:15, and she returned to the track on Saturday to turn in an equally impressive 8:57 3k to complete the double. Cheserek made history as only the second athlete to ever win the 5k-DMR-3k in the same indoor track championship, matching the feet that Galen Rupp accomplished in 2009. These two athletes dominated the headlines this weekend, and for good reason.</p>
<h3>Men's 60 M Hurdles</h3>
<p>Oregon's football and track superstar Devon Allen won the 60 meter hurdles in 7.56, holding off the field. Allen had a strong start from the blocks and looked smooth as he claimed his 10 points. The young man is only a sophomore, so at this point we can start to wonder, if he stays healthy, how many NCAA championships can he win?</p>
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<h3>Final Women's Team Standings</h3>
<p>1.) Oregon 53 points</p>
<p>2.) Arkansas 50</p>
<p>3.) Georgia 45</p>
<p>4.) Texas 44</p>
<p>5.) Notre Dame 35</p>
<h3>Final Men's Team Standings</h3>
<p>1.) Oregon 62 points</p>
<p>2.) Arkansas 39</p>
<p>3.) Tennessee 34</p>
<p>4.) LSU 28</p>
<p>5.) Texas 25</p>
https://www.stridenation.com/2016/3/13/11214056/ncaa-indoor-championship-recapCaleb Childers2016-03-11T19:22:55-08:002016-03-11T19:22:55-08:00NCAA indoors: Day 1 quick recap
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<img alt="A&M's great hope will have to wait." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BLfq0womFCp199bwBl3lxqmhlAc=/0x2:950x635/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49058655/GettyImages-455809026.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>A&M's great hope will have to wait. | Scott Halleran/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Day 1 is in the books. What just happened?</p> <p>One of the reasons why sports is compelling tv is because it cannot be scripted. Tonight saw plenty of upsets, surprises, and all around drama. So what just happened? Let's break down the three biggest storylines of the night.</p>
<h3>Donavan Brazier drops out of the 800</h3>
<p>The super freshman from Grand Rapids, Michigan had the fastest time and the highest expectations, yet he'll have to wait until May to win an NCAA crown. Brazier pulled up during his 800 prelim heat. His first 400 was in 51.59 and he was holding his back as he walked off the track. Not a good night for such a talented athlete and the crowd seemed to feel bad for the young man. Tomorrow's 800 finals is anyones race now, and is going to be interesting.</p>
<h3>Is Molly Siedel human?</h3>
<p>Notre Dame's Molly Siedel won the 5,000 meters with a time of 15:15, completely demolishing the field. She led for the vast majority of the race and looked completely in control. The big intrigue heading into the race was the battle between her and Bosie State's Allie Ostrander. Unfortunately, Ostrander dropped out during the race and the only runner with a chance at catching Siedel was Michigan's Erin Finn, who came in second. Siedel's 15:15 is the third fastest women's 5k in NCAA history, and at this point we have to ask, is she human?</p>
<h3>Edward Cheserek is definitely not human</h3>
<p>Cheserek was the favorite heading into tonight's 5,000 meter race, and he won. That was no surprise. But what made him unstoppable was what happened after his 5,000. On extremely, and I mean extremely, short rest he turned in the 1600 meter leg to win the DMR for the Oregon Ducks. Cheserek had about 30 minutes between races and it was unsure if he would run the DMR until the last minute. He took over with his Ducks barely trailing but right in the thick of things, and he ended with another 10 points for Oregon. Thanks to Cheserek, Oregon is winning in the men's competition right now, and tomorrow he goes for history in the 3k race. Will he win and match Rupp's legendary 2009 season? We'll have to wait and see tomorrow.</p>
https://www.stridenation.com/2016/3/11/11210332/ncaa-day-1-3-quick-thoughtsCaleb Childers2016-03-11T06:00:07-08:002016-03-11T06:00:07-08:00NCAA indoor championship Friday preview
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<img alt="Will Stanford take home the DMR?" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ifeOLuNHw_Gh1-cr6M8NwHFN9Jo=/0x0:3500x2333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49046965/usa-today-8863046.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Will Stanford take home the DMR? | Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Previewing the biggest races on Friday night of the NCAA Championships</p> <p>The NCAA indoor track championships get underway at 5:30 tonight, and there's plenty of action from the get go. To get you ready for Friday night's action, all of which is being streamed on ESPN3, we're previewing the three biggest races of the night. Let's get started.</p>
<h3>Women's 1 mile</h3>
<p>Ok, so this one is just the prelims, but it's right at the beginning of the meet and is guaranteed to be exciting. Oklahoma State Kaela Edwards looks to win her first NCAA championship after being the runner up in the indoor 800 last year, and she has a seed time of 4:32. Also in the mix is Andrea Keklak of Georgetown. The graduate transfer has been tearing up the track for the Hoyas, and she gets the chance to possibly go head to head with Edwards twice in this distance. There are two prelim races on Friday, and both should be fast and exciting.</p>
<h3>Women's 3k</h3>
<p>Seidel vs Ostrander for a national championship. Again. This is the matchup that everyone has been waiting for, and it's exciting to have that be on the first day. Seidel threw it down at the Meyo Invite on her home track, where she broke Molly Huddle's Notre Dame record in the 3k. Ostrander hasn't been slacking either this season, and this race is shaping up to be a classic.</p>
<h3>Men's DMR</h3>
<p>This event is just loaded and the action goes down at 9:45. Oklahoma State, Oregon, Stanford, Villanova, and Virginia. All of these teams have a legitimate shot at winning the event, and it's hard to pick any of them as a true favorite. To make it more interesting, most of these teams are in the running for the national championship, so a precious 10 points from the DMR would go a long way for these teams. Get ready for one of the wildest races.</p>
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<p>While those three races are probably the most exciting on Friday night, there's still plenty of action in between them. The sprint events will be having their prelims and will not doubt bring some fire to the track. What races are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below.</p>
https://www.stridenation.com/2016/3/11/11198780/three-races-to-watch-friday-editionCaleb Childers