This year’s BU John Thomas Terrier Classic expected a much-needed flare from the long-distance runners, rushing for the Olympic qualifying standards. Woody Kincaid was all up for another 5000m win in the men’s category after taking the title of the American indoor record holder in the event. The same expectation was from his competitors, like veterans Abdihamid Nur and Aidan Wildschutt. From the NAU, there was Nico Young to register his challenges in front of those WAC track and field stars. However, NAU received glory from the competition already, but not from Nico Young. 

In the men’s mile event, a 20-year-old NAU sophomore rose to the occasion to earn himself a respected position in the school’s history. Expectations from him shot up high as the prodigy outpoured big words after owning the day. 

Consistency is the key, declares the new star 

On January 27, Citius Mag posted an excerpt of an interview on its X-handle. The visual depicted Colin Sahlman, showing his confident mood. The occasion was the post-match interview of the 20-year-old track and field athlete. In the caption itself, the X-handle gave out enough information. 

It stood, “Consistency pays off for Colin Sahlman! His 3:53.17 win at the BU Terrier Classic set the new @NAUTrackFieldXC school record”. Speaking on the consistency, in the same interview, Sahlman conceded, “It’s probably the most consistent that I’ve ever been with my training. I haven’t worked on too much speed yet but there’s probably more speed work coming in.” 

Just beside him, Craig Engels was seen to be in awe of the NAU sophomore’s performance in the event. Eventually, Engels took the third position in that track and field event with a timing of 3:54.03.

But in the runner-up position, Olympian Chuck Philbert-Thiboutot turned up, taking 0.24 seconds more than Colin Sahlman. Chuck is already eyeing for the Canadian record in 3000m and eventually the World Indoor Championship berth. So on that estimate, defeating such phenoms came out to be the result of the consistency the California-native spoke. 

Back-to-back stunning displays pave the path 

Colin Sahlman’s latest timing in the mile this year came after his repeated hitting on the sub-3:50 category. Last year, in the Big Sky Conference in track and field, he had claimed the timing of 3:49.18 at the 1500m event. Moreover, a thundering 1:50.18 clocking had come on the same day as well. 

Read more: 8X NAIA National Champion, on Path to Olympic Glory, Follows the Footsteps of Noah Lyles

In the miles, the NAU sophomore recorded two deceptive timings this year. Previously the timing was 4:03.21 and later on, it was converted to 3:54.38 this year. Now, the latest timing placed Colin Sahlman in the track and field history of NAU. On the eve of the Glasgow Indoor Championship, that achievement would motivate the sprinter. 

Watch this story: Noah Lyles Is All In, Rooting For The $155M Esports Giants At Worlds 2023