University of North Carolina Athletics

Photo by: Reily Rogers
Ethan Strand Shatters NCAA 3000 Meter Record In Boston
December 7, 2024 | Track & Field
BOSTON – North Carolina Track and Field's Ethan Strand (7:30.15) and Parker Wolfe (7:30.23) rewrote the NCAA record book with their speedy 3000m performances to open the indoor season on Saturday. Strand's finish set a new collegiate record in the race, shattering the previous record by six seconds. Wolfe's second place finish also broke the prior record held before Strand.
During the final lap of the race at the 7:02 time marker, the two Tar Heels separated from the pack and battled amongst themselves for the top spot in NCAA history. Strand pulled ahead of his teammate, Wolfe by .8 seconds. Wolfe sits in second all- time in NCAA history. Â
"I knew the collegiate record was in danger, but when I looked up at the clock and saw 7:30 I was kind of in shock," Strand said.
Saturday's race was one of the best races for men's collegiate track and field in recent years as the top four finishers in the race all ran times under the previous collegiate record.Â
Strand's finish is the second fastest all-time by an American, only trailing Yared Nuguse, who set the record on the same track a little less than a year ago. Strand is also currently No. 14 on the all-time world indoor 3000m list.
Wolfe now has the fourth fastest indoor time by an American.Â
Colton Sands shattered his 5000m personal best by 18.31 seconds as he ran the second-fastest time in Carolina history. Sands won his heat while finishing 16th overall.
Results
3000mÂ
1st: Ethan Strand, 7:30.15 [No. 1 in NCAA History]
2nd: Parker Wolfe, 7:30.23 [No. 2 in NCAA History]
46th: Aiden Neal, 8:03.16
5000m
16th: Colton Sands, 13:27.23 [2nd all-time in Carolina history]
74th: Will Coogan, 13:47.79
Patrick Anderson, DNF
For all the latest UNC Track and Field news, photos, and videos, follow on X, Instagram and Facebook
During the final lap of the race at the 7:02 time marker, the two Tar Heels separated from the pack and battled amongst themselves for the top spot in NCAA history. Strand pulled ahead of his teammate, Wolfe by .8 seconds. Wolfe sits in second all- time in NCAA history. Â
"I knew the collegiate record was in danger, but when I looked up at the clock and saw 7:30 I was kind of in shock," Strand said.
Saturday's race was one of the best races for men's collegiate track and field in recent years as the top four finishers in the race all ran times under the previous collegiate record.Â
Strand's finish is the second fastest all-time by an American, only trailing Yared Nuguse, who set the record on the same track a little less than a year ago. Strand is also currently No. 14 on the all-time world indoor 3000m list.
Wolfe now has the fourth fastest indoor time by an American.Â
Colton Sands shattered his 5000m personal best by 18.31 seconds as he ran the second-fastest time in Carolina history. Sands won his heat while finishing 16th overall.
Results
3000mÂ
1st: Ethan Strand, 7:30.15 [No. 1 in NCAA History]
2nd: Parker Wolfe, 7:30.23 [No. 2 in NCAA History]
46th: Aiden Neal, 8:03.16
5000m
16th: Colton Sands, 13:27.23 [2nd all-time in Carolina history]
74th: Will Coogan, 13:47.79
Patrick Anderson, DNF
For all the latest UNC Track and Field news, photos, and videos, follow on X, Instagram and Facebook
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