Lee University Standout Noble Continues To Impact Division 2 All-Time Lists With 7:51.46

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Christian Noble of Lee University (Tenn.) continued to run at an all-time best level for NCAA Division 2 athletes Sunday at the second Magic City Elite meet at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Ala. 

Noble ran a big PR in the 3,000 meters, clocking 7 minutes, 51.46 seconds. That's the fastest Division 2 time ever on a 200-meter banked track, surpassing the 7:54.77 by Sydney Gidabuday of Adams State in 2019. The fastest 3,000 indoors by a Division 2 athlete remains 7:50.81 by David Ribich of Western Oregon on an oversized track at the Dempsey facility in Washington in 2018. 

Noble surpassed the all-time Division 2 record in the 5,000 meters when he ran 13:37.39 at the first Magic City Elite meet Jan. 24. He may not get the official record, however, because pacing lights were used inside the rail of the track. 

Marco Arop of adidas, representing Canada, won the men's mile in 3:57.50 and American Ryan Adams also went under four minutes with 3:58.48.

Saucony's Helen Schlachtenfaufen won the women's 1,500 meters in 4:11.78.

Carmen Alder of Pinecrest High, who recently won her third straight North Carolina high school cross country title, ran 4:48.46 to win the girls high school mile. 

Josh Hoey, an adidas pro, ran 1:48.55 to win the men's 800 meters.

Celine Ritter, a teammate of Noble, won the women's 3,000 meters for the Flames in 9:33.51, just off her personal-best 9:31.08 last season at Boston University, which ranks her as the No. 17 all-time Division 2 indoor performer.