Dylan Jacobs Named USTFCCCA National Indoor Track Athlete of the Year

NEW ORLEANS — After a spectacular, record-breaking indoor campaign for the Big Orange, Tennessee graduate student Dylan Jacobs has been recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as the National Men's Track Athlete of the Year for the 2022-23 indoor season.

"Our program couldn't be prouder of what Dylan has accomplished this indoor season," head coach Duane Ross said. "His work ethic and commitment to his coaches and team are beyond exemplary. He has set the standard for this program: Excellence. Truly excited to see what he does outdoors and beyond."

Jacobs, who hails from Orland Park, Illinois, turned in historic marks three times this year. The first came at the John Thomas Terrier Classic when he went 13:11.01 over 5,000 meters to become the third-fastest athlete in collegiate history. Two weeks later, he narrowly missed the collegiate record in the 3,000 meters by 0.47 seconds when he stopped the clock at 7:36.89.

On the 2023 indoor world list, Jacobs sits fifth and 17th in the 5k and 3k, respectively.

Ultimately, Jacobs won the 5,000-meter title at the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Championships in 13:37.59, which was the fastest time ever recorded by a collegian indoors at altitude. He later finished sixth in the 3,000-meter at NCAAs in 7:52.25.

With his win in the 5k, Jacobs claimed Tennessee's 120th individual national championship in school history and 57th indoors. He became the first Vol to top the NCAA podium in a distance event since Olympian Jose Parrilla won the outdoor 800m title in 1994.

"Over the course of the past four years, I have had the pleasure of watching Dylan transform himself into one of the finest distance runners in the country," Tennessee distance coach Sean Carlson said. "He is as competitive and relentless a worker as I have ever been around in my career. Throughout the last year, he has become as tactically masterful and thoughtful a racer as you will find in the NCAA. I am beyond proud of him and excited to see what he can accomplish this outdoor season before taking the next step onto the world stage."

At the 2023 SEC Indoor Championships, Jacobs had a hand in two event titles for the Big Orange—winning the 3k in 7:52.49 and anchoring the Tennessee distance medley relay to gold with a 3:56.46 split over 1,600 meters to bring home the victory.

During the 2022-23 academic year, Jacobs has collected three All-America honors, two South Region Athlete of the Year awards in cross country and indoor track, one national title and two SEC championships. He was one of 10 NCAA Division I athletes named to the men's watch list for The Bowerman award on March 2 and is the first Tennessee athlete to earn men's indoor track national athlete of the year honors since Christian Coleman was recognized in 2017.

University of Tennessee Athletics

Dylan Jacobs Named USTFCCCA National Indoor Track Athlete of the Year

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Dylan Jacobs

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