Habtom Samuel Clinches NCAA 5K Title, Completing Stellar Season for New Mexico

In a remarkable conclusion to a standout athletic year, Habtom Samuel of the University of New Mexico claimed victory in the NCAA men’s 5,000-meter final on Friday night, finishing with a time of 13 minutes and 38.93 seconds. This win marked his second national championship of the week at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

The junior from Keren, Eritrea, has had an exceptional season, achieving a rare distance double that includes an NCAA individual cross country title, an indoor 5K championship, and now both the outdoor 5K and 10K titles. Samuel's remarkable performance has solidified his place in the history of New Mexico athletics.

Entering the race, Samuel was viewed as a strong contender after previously setting a new NCAA record of 13:03.47 in the 5K earlier this year. Additionally, he posted the world’s fastest time in the event this season at the Sound Running L.A. Track Festival, clocking in at 12:57.27, which also established a new record for Eritrea.

Unlike his commanding lead in Wednesday’s 10K final, Samuel adopted a different strategy for the 5K. He began the race towards the back but made a significant move forward just four minutes in. After a brief setback due to contact with another runner, Samuel surged ahead again, eventually overtaking Villanova's Marco Langan with 250 meters remaining, holding off a final push from Wake Forest's Rocky Hansen to secure the championship.

Samuel's achievements highlight a historic year not only for him but also for the University of New Mexico's track and field program.