Lawi Lalang to go for unprecedented triple at NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships

Mar 9, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Lawi Lalang of Arizona (right) defeats Kirubel Erassa of Oklahoma State (center) and Eric Jenkins of Northeastern to win the 3,000m in a meet record 7:45.94 in the 2013 NCAA Indoor Championships at the Randal Tyson Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Wildcats distance runner Lawi Lalang will go for an unprecedented feat at the upcoming NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Albuquerque.

Lalang, who already holds four NCAA indoor titles, will attempt to become the first runner in NCAA history to win the mile, the 3,000 meters, and the 5,000 meters at a single championship meet. He’s won each of the events before, having captured titles in both the mile and 3,000 meters last year to go with his wins in both the 3,000 meters and the 5,000 meters in 2012.

Lets Run does a good job putting his unparalleled dominance in perspective:

"The 3:52.88 indoor mile he ran this year at Millrose is the indoor collegiate record. His 3:33.20 1,500 outdoors from last summer is close to the fastest time ever run by a collegian as well (3:33.07 Kip Cheruiyot, Mt. St. Mary’s 1986). He’s incredibly good at 1,500/mile, but he’s also run faster than anyone in the history of the NCAA at 5,000 (13:00.95). That endurance even extends out to 10k as he was the 2011 NCAA XC champ."

Lalang’s quest will begin with the 5,000 meters on Friday. While he’ll certainly be challenged in each event — for example, Oregon freshman Edward Cheserek is undefeated in college track and could push Lalang in the 5,000 — don’t be shocked if Lalang walks away from Albuquerque with a unique spot in the record books.

We’ll be updating you with results from the meet throughout the weekend, so stay tuned.

[Source: Lets Run]

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