We're days away from the 2024 DI indoor men's track and field championships. There's no better time than now for my championship predictions, event by event. Let's dive in.
60 meters — Predicted favorite: Texas Tech's Terrence Jones
If a collegiate record holder is in an event he has a record in, he should be the favorite. Hence, Terrence Jones is my pick to repeat in the 60 meters. If Jones can avoid a false start, I think he'll win.
If it's not Jones or one of his Texas Tech teammates that wins the 60 meters, I like Iowa's Kalen Walker as the next-best title threat.
INDOOR T&F CHAMPS: Live updates for the 2024 NCAA DI indoor track and field championships
60 hurdles — Predicted favorite: Texas Tech's Caleb Dean
Caleb Dean has been one of the best hurdlers in the country since transferring and becoming a Red Raider, but he doesn't have a title to show for it. Dean is also coming off a loss (second place) at the Big 12 Championships in the 60 hurdles. I think a motivated Dean can get over his hurdle — pun intended — and secure his first NCAA crown.
200 meters — Predicted favorite: Florida's Robert Gregory
The men's 200 meters is the ultimate pick-em. The lane draws for the semifinals and the finals will be crucial, but as of now, I'll pick Florida's Robert Gregory to win. I'm the most confident in Gregory running his race, regardless of the lane he's in against a loaded field.
400 meters — Predicted favorite: Georgia's Christopher Morales Williams
Do I think Christopher Morales Williams will run a world record (it counts in my eyes, starting blocks aside) at NCAA indoors? No.
Do I think Morales Williams can run such a time? Yes, especially if he gets a favorable lane draw. That's why he's the pick for the 400 meters.
RELATED: Georgia's Christopher Morales Williams sets world record
800 meters — Predicted favorite: Texas' Yusuf Bizimana
I think Yusuf Bizimana can win the 800-meter title without any help from the referees this year because he's been just that good in 2024. He set a collegiate record in the 1000 meters and has run the fastest 800-meter time this year. The 800 meters is becoming closer and closer to a sprint and Bizimana has the combination of strength, speed and endurance that can land him back-to-back titles.
Mile — Predicted favorite: South Carolina's Anass Essayi
It'll mark one year since South Carolina's Anass Essayi lost in the NCAA championship mile after a stellar season come Boston. Yet, I think Essayi closes the deal this go around. His biggest challengers will be defending champion Luke Houser and his Washington teammate Joe Waskom, but I think Essayi's ability to time his kick will help him win the title.
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3000 meters — Predicted favorite: North Carolina's Parker Wolfe
The 3000 meters is anyone's race. Northern Arizona and Oklahoma State have three entries each and both could end up controlling the race to launch one of their runners atop the podium. However, my choice to win this race is North Carolina's Parker Wolfe. He's the lone entry in the race for the Tar Heels, but I loved the way he managed the race at ACC indoors. I think he can take the lead across the final few laps and prevail.
5000 meters — Predicted favorite: Northern Arizona's Nico Young
Harvard's Graham Blanks is not running at the 2024 NCAA Championships. That leaves the newest 5000-meter collegiate record holder — Blanks also set the record earlier this year — Nico Young as the overwhelming favorite to win the 5K. His collegiate record is almost 10 seconds faster than anyone else in the field has run this year.
RECORDS: Every collegiate track and field record broken in 2024
Heptathlon — Predicted favorite: Texas' Leo Neugebauer
Leo Neugebauer is the lone returnee from last year's big three in the men's combined events. The former Bowerman finalist leads the nation in the heptathlon by almost 100 points entering the championships and could score even higher with a title on the line.
High jump — Predicted favorite: Arkansas' Romaine Beckford
Romaine Beckford won the 2023 indoor and outdoor high jump titles at South Florida and then transferred to Arkansas, where he hasn't missed a beat. One of the newest Razorbacks leads the nation with a jump of 2.27 meters. I think Kansas' Devin Loudermilk and Louisville's high jump duo of Trey Allen and Brion Stephens could challenge the defending champion. Still, Beckford has shown the ability to live up to the hype with the highest stakes on the line.
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Long jump — Predicted favorite: Arkansas' Wayne Pinnock
I expect a two-headed battle for this year's long jump title between collegiate leader and two-time NCAA Titleist Wayne Pinnock of Arkansas and USA champion Johnny Brackins Jr. Pinnock has the edge entering championships with eight career indoor long jumps across two years that have gone farther than Brackins' personal-best of 8.23 meters.
If Pinnock does his usual and hits 8.30 meters and beyond, he should have his third career NCAA title.
Triple jump — Predicted favorite: Florida State's Jeremiah Davis
Florida State's Jeremiah Davis only has the second-best triple jump this season, trailing behind Kentucky's Luke Brown. Yet, Davis has surpassed 16.60 meters in his last two meets, while Brown hasn't come close to his nation-leading mark since. It may come down to the final jump, but I think Davis wins a close one.
Pole vault — Predicted favorite: Kentucky's Keaton Daniel
Kentucky's Keaton Daniel leads the nation in the pole vault, entering championships with a 5.80 meter mark. As long as Daniel times up his passes correctly in the early heights, I think he should clear most heights on his first attempt to put him in a position to win as the heights continue to rise.
Shot put — Predicted favorite: Georgia's Alexander Kolesnikoff
Georgia's Alexander Kolesnikoff has thrown over 19.90 meters four times this year, and that consistency makes him my pick entering the championships. While the fouling is a concern, when Kolesnikoff makes a legal throw, it covers the distance.
Weight throw — Predicted favorite: Ole Miss' Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan
Ole Miss' Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan has thrown over 23.5 meters in his last two meets, giving him the highest floor of any thrower, even though he might not have the farthest throw entering NCAAs. I think he's the most likely to not have a dud of a day in the now-moved-up weight throw session on Thursday, which is enough for him to be the pick here.
Distance medley relay — Predicted favorite: Northern Arizona
Runner for runner, Northern Arizona has what it takes to win the DMR. I think the DMR may come down to the anchor leg, and there's no distance runner I would trust more so far this season than Nico Young with a title on the line.
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4x400 meter relay — Predicted favorite: Florida
It's hard to pick against a Florida 4x4 in a championship race, and I'm not doing that this year. Even if the Gators are out of contention by the time the 4x4 takes the track, I think Coach Holloway will have his crew ready to close the championships with a bang.
: Arkansas, Texas Tech win 2024 indoor titles | Florida, Arkansas win 2024 outdoor titles | How the outdoor championships work
💥HISTORY: Programs with the most titles | Men's champ history | Women's champ history | Bowerman history
🧠 WHAT TO KNOW: Wind and scoring explained | Greatest venues | Best uniforms | The difference between indoor and outdoor seasons
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