2017 DI NCAA Indoor Championships

Edward Cheserek Wins 5K, Claims 16th NCAA Crown

Edward Cheserek Wins 5K, Claims 16th NCAA Crown

Edward Cheserek won his eighth NCAA indoor title with a 13:41.20 5000m victory on Friday night in College Station, Texas. Cheserek is now the only athlete in history to win 16 NCAA championships.

Mar 11, 2017 by Meg Bellino
Edward Cheserek Wins 5K, Claims 16th NCAA Crown
Edward Cheserek won his eighth NCAA indoor title--his 16th of his career--with a 13:41.20 5000m victory Friday night in College Station, Texas. Cheserek is now the only athlete in history to win 16 NCAA championships. 


Cheserek let others do most of the work Friday and stayed put toward the front of the pack. Butler's Eric Peterson led for much of the early half of the race, and Ole Miss' MJ Erb took over for the latter half. Cheserek made his signature move with two laps to go and split 26.83 and 27.06 in his final 400m to finish nearly three seconds ahead of Tulsa's Marc Scott (13:43.83). 

Campbell's Amon Terer (13:47.01), Colorado's John Dressel (13:47.84), and Alabama's Alfred Chelanga (13:48.36) rounded out the top five of the race.

The 5K performance marks the beginning of yet another triple for Cheserek's Oregon squad. Since arriving at Oregon, Cheserek has contributed crucial points in the past three NCAA Indoor Championships. In 2014, he doubled at the championships with 5K and 3K victories one day apart. In 2015, he snagged wins in the DMR and mile and finished runner-up in the 3K. And in 2016, Cheserek accomplished the unimaginable--victories in the DMR, 5K, and 3K.

After running 3:59 to win section 1 of the mile on Friday, Cheserek will seek to make history yet again by competing in the mile and 3000m on Saturday.  

Watch Cheserek's 5K victory: