Nico Young Shatters NCAA 5000m Indoor Record with 12:57.14

In a historic evening, NAU's track and field team showcased remarkable performances, headlined by Nico Young's record-breaking achievement at the 2024 John Thomas Terrier Classic in Boston on Friday.

Nico Young left an indelible mark by obliterating the NCAA collegiate 5,000-meter record, clocking an astonishing time of 12:57.14 at the John Thomas Terrier Classic. This remarkable feat surpassed Graham Blank's previous record by nearly six seconds and stands as the first sub-13 minute 5K time in NCAA history. Adrian Wildschutt of South Africa made history as well, becoming the first South African man to break the 13-minute barrier with a time of 12:56.76, narrowly defeating Nico Young of Northern Arizona University to claim victory in the race.

Another standout from NAU, Aaron Las Heras, claimed the top spot in the unseeded men's 5K, recording a personal best time of 13:16.68, securing the third position on NAU's all-time performance list. Theo Quax closely followed in second place with a time of 13:16.83, earning him the fourth spot on NAU's all-time performance list.

In the mile, Colin Sahlman made history by breaking both the NAU and Big Sky records with an impressive time of 3:53.17. Kang Nyoak secured the 12th position with a personal best of 3:57.31, placing him at number five on NAU's all-time performance list. Sahlman and Nyoak also participated in the 3,000-meter event, finishing ninth and 13th, respectively, with times of 7:59.27 and 8:01.00.

• BU Terrier Classic Results

MEN'S 5000m RESULTS

The second night (Saturday, Jan. 28) of the 2024 John Thomas Terrier Classic at Boston University was illuminated by a spectacular performance from Ethiopian athlete Senayet Getachew. She set a new world under-20 record for the indoor 5000 meters, surpassing the previous record held by Tirunesh Dibaba by nearly 10 seconds, with a time of 14:42.94. Getachew, the reigning World U20 cross country champion from Australia, displayed remarkable endurance, particularly in her final lap, to secure her victory against compatriot Fentaye Belayneh.

Belayneh, who earned a silver medal at the 2022 African Championships, finished second, achieving a personal best of 14:43.25. Another Ethiopian, Aynadis Mebratu, claimed the third spot with a time of 14:44.94.

In a noteworthy European record, Spain’s Marta Garcia Alonso finished with a time of 14:46.37, marking the second fastest indoor time by a European woman. The event also saw impressive performances from American athletes Josette Andrews and Courtney Wayment, who placed fifth and sixth, respectively, with times of 14:46.51 and 14:49.78, both surpassing the 14:52.00 Olympic standard.

Women's 5000m Invite Results: