INDIANAPOLIS — Shattering the collegiate record in the men's 5000 at Boston University's Thomas Terrier Classic, Nico Young (Flagstaff, Arizona/USATF Arizona) earned recognition as the 3rd USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2024. Young, a junior at Northern Arizona University, took more than six seconds off the previous collegiate record of 13:03.78 that was set by Harvard's Graham Blanks in December, clocking 12:57.14. He became the first collegian to break 13:00 and also claimed the No. 4 spot on the all-time U.S. indoor performer list. The NCAA runner-up in cross country in 2022 and a bronze medalist indoors and outdoors in the 5000 that year, Young is the 12th-fastest man ever indoors. He moved to third on the all-time collegiate performer list for the indoor 3000 in December with a 7:37.73, also at Boston. Other top performances from last week:
Now in its 23nd year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week when there are high-level competitions and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week. 2024 Winners: January 17, Weini Kelati; January 24, Cooper Teare; January 31, Nico Young. We welcome your nominations! To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about their performance to communications@usatf.org. Join the conversation with USATF on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #USATF. Photo Credit: NAU Athletics