Speculation has run rampant as to whether NAU’s Nico Young, who doubled in the 3,000 and 5,000 meters last weekend in the NCAA Indoors Championships would run in Sound Running’s The Ten this Saturday in San Juan Capistrano.
The wait is over. Young will join scores of other elites — 14 who train in Flagstaff, at last count — in the Paris Heat of Sound Running’s festival of 10Ks. All are hoping to achieve the Olympic standard (27 minutes for the men; 30:40 for the women) before the U.S. Olympic Trials in June.
Sound Running announced Tuesday that Young will begin his outdoor season this Saturday at The Ten. After this race, it’s likely he will back off before competing for NAU outdoors closer to the natiuonals.
Also not on the original start list, but confirmed today: Luis Grijalva, the former NAU star and Guatemalan Olympian, who skipped the indoor season.
Look for a full preview of the event here later this week.
Full list of Flagstaff-based runners in The Ten and their affiliations:
Women
Elly Henes (Mike Smith group)
Weini Kelati (UA Dark Sky Distance)
Dani Polerecky (McKirdy Trained)
Sara Hall (Ryan Hall group)
Rachel Smith (Smith group)
Mercy Chelangat (NAZ Elite)
Men
Nico Young (NAU)
Luis Grijalva (Smith group)
Woody Kincaid (Smith group)
Adriaan Wildschutt (NAZ Elite)
Edwin Kurgat (Dark Sky)
Abdi Nur (Smith group)
Wesley Kiptoo (NAZ Elite)
Alex Masai (Naz Elite)
Leave a Reply