NCAA Champions to Battle in NYRR Millrose Men’s 3,000m

NEW YORK – The men’s 3,000m event during the 112^th NYRR Millrose Games on February 9^th is shaping up to be one of the day’s most anticipated races.  Three NCAA cross country champions will toe the line at The Armory’s New Balance Track and Field Center as part of a deep field that includes numerous Olympians.

Headlining the field is former Syracuse University standout Justyn Knight. Knight won the 2017 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship after finishing in the top four the previous two years, and went on to add another title on the track in the 5,000m. Knight also qualified for the 2017 World Championships in London, finishing ninth in the 5,000m while competing for his native Canada.

“Millrose is the one of the world’s greatest indoor meets,” Knight said. “The atmosphere cannot be replicated, and I have never been to an indoor race like it. With competitive athletes and ecstatic fans in attendance, the environment will be suitable for a fast race.”

Fresh off their thrilling NCAA Cross Country Championship duel to the finish line last month in Madison, WI, Morgan McDonald and Grant Fisher will renew their rivalry at Millrose. The 2018 NCAA Cross Country Championship came down to a sprint finish between the two, with McDonald of the University of Wisconsin holding off Stanford University’s Fisher. McDonald is also the Australian champion in the 5,000m, while Fisher was one of the most accomplished high school athletes ever, winning Foot Locker Nationals twice and breaking four minutes in the mile. Fisher also won an NCAA championship on the track in 2017.

Another big name to watch is Hassan Mead. The veteran in the field, Mead, 29, is the 2017 USATF champion in the 10,000m. He qualified for the final of the 5,000m in Rio, and has also competed in both the 2015 and 2017 World Championships. Australian Olympian Pat Tiernan is also in the field, best known for his stunning upset of Edward Cheserek to win the 2016 NCAA Cross Country Championship.

The men’s 3000m is one of many highly-anticipated events during the 112^th NYRR Millrose Games, the most historic indoor track meet in the world. The men’s shot put will feature Olympic gold and silver medalists Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs throwing from the center of the track. Top athletes who have been announced in other events include Clayton Murphy, Donavan Brazier, Ajeé Wilson, Natoya Goule, Torie Bowie, English Gardner, Deajah Stevens, Nia Ali, and Queen Harrison. The night’s signature events will be the prestigious NYRR Men’s and Women’s Wanamaker Mile.

“Sixteen Olympians have already committed to compete at NYRR Millrose, and most events have yet to be announced, including the Men’s and Women’s NYRR Wanamaker Mile,” said Jonathan Schindel, Co-President of The Armory Foundation. “We expect tickets to sell out well in advance of the NYRR Millrose Games.”

Entry announcements will continue leading up to the February 9^th event and high school and youth qualifiers are determined during the January 9^th NYRR Millrose Games Trials at The Armory.