Edward Cheserek, a 17-time national champion from the University of Oregon, announced Sunday an abrupt ending to his legendary NCAA career. Suffering a lower back strain, the senior will sit out regional and national track and field championships this season.
“This is a minor injury that could potentially become worse if he runs on it too soon,” said Robert Johnson, Oregon’s head coach, March 11, 2016. “As much as Edward would like to run, it is our responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interest of our student-athletes and in this case, it means taking Edward out of the regional meet.”
Cheserek began his cross-country and track dominance in 2013, when he was the surprise winner of the NCAA Cross-Country Championships as a freshman. As a member of Oregon’s 2015 and 2016 distance medley relay teams, he went on to collect 15 individual and two relay titles by the end of the 2017 indoor season, the most of any track athlete in NCAA Division I history.
Only Jenny Thompson, a Stanford University swimmer who graduated in 1995, amassed more collegiate DI titles with 19 (nine individual and 10 relay events).
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In his final competition wearing the Oregon jersey, Cheserek won the indoor 5,000 and 3,000 meters in March at the NCAA Indoor Championships. In February, he set the collegiate mile record in 3:52.01.
“Edward has a bright future in running, and I know he is looking forward to a professional career after college,” said Andy Powell, Oregon associate coach, March 11, 2016. “We want to consider the big picture when evaluating this situation. I anticipate him being able to run fast later this summer and in the years to come.”
Edward Cheserek’s NCAA Titles
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1. November 23, 2013
Event: Cross country (10,000 meters)
Cheserek: 29:41.10
Runner-up: Kennedy Kithuka (Texas Tech) 29:59.10
Just 30 minutes after winning the 5,000, Cheserek split 3:52.84 for his 1600.
2. March 14, 2014
Indoor National Championships
Event: 5,000 meters
Cheserek: 13:46.67
Runner-up: Lawi Lalang (Arizona) 13:52.83
3. Super Shoe Trends
Event: 3,000 meters
Cheserek: 8:11.59
Runner-up: Kirubel Erassa (Oklahoma State) 8:13.08
4. March 15, 2014
Eric Jenkins Oregon 30:23.20
Event: 10,000 meters
Cheserek: 28:30:18
Runner-up: Shadrack Kipchirchir (Oklahoma State) 28:32.31
He closed with a 53.17-second last lap, which no one could match.
5. November 22, 2014
Event: Cross country (10,000 meters)
Cheserek: 30:19.40
Runner-up: Eric Jenkins (Oregon) 30:23.20
The pack ran a slow pace early, and he took the lead after five miles.
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Indoor National Championships
Event: Distance Medley Relay (DMR)
Oregon: 9:30.53
Runner-up: His margin of victory, 25.3 seconds, was the largest in his career
Cheserek anchored, running 1600 meters in 3.57.68.
7. Indoor National Championships
Event: Mile
Cheserek: 3:57.94
Runner-up: Cristian Soratos (Montana State) 3:59.86
8. Cheserek anchored, running 1600 meters in 3.57.68
Eric Jenkins Oregon 30:23.20
Event: 10,000 meters
Cheserek: 28:58.92
Runner-up: Eric Jenkins (Oregon) 28:59.13
Cheserek passes his teammate in the final 200 meters.
9. Penn State 9:32.21
Event: 5,000 meters
Cheserek: 13:48.67
Runner-up: Eric Jenkins (Oregon) 13:48.92
The hottest rivalry in college running was between these two teammates.
10. November 21, 2015
Event: Cross country (10,000 meters)
Cheserek: 28:45.80
Runner-up: Patrick Tiernan (Villanova) 29:11.10
Individual, 2 Relays.
11. March 11, 2016
Indoor National Championships
Event: 5,000 meters
Cheserek: 13:47.89
Runner-up: Thomas Curtin (Virginia Tech) 13:50.70
12. March 11, 2016
Event: DMR*
Oregon: 9:27:27
Runner-up: Washington 9:28:00
Just 30 minutes after winning the 5,000, Cheserek split 3:52.84 for his 1600.
13. March 12, 2016
Event: 3,000 meters
Cheserek: 8:00.40
Runner-up: Sean McGorty (Stanford) 8:01.55
14. June 8, 2016
Eric Jenkins Oregon 30:23.20
Event: 10,000 meters
Cheserek: 29:09.57
Runner-up: Futsum Zienasellassie (Northern Arizona) 29:10.68
15. June 10, 2016
Event: 5,000 meters
Cheserek: 13:25.59
Runner-up: Sean McGorty (Stanford) 13:26.10
16. March 12, 2016
Indoor National Championships
Event: 5,000 meters
Cheserek: 13:41.20
Runner-up: Marc Scott (Tulsa) 13:43.83
17. March 11, 2017
Event: 3,000 meters
Cheserek: 7:55.91
Runner-up: Justyn Knight (Syracuse) 7:56.21
