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Craig Engels
Craig Engels
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Craig Engels (born May 1, 1994) is an American middle-distance runner. He is the 2019 US national champion in the 1500m. He also won the 2019 USATF Indoor Championships mile. He won an NCAA Championship as part of the Ole Miss men's distance medley relay team in 2017 and competed for the United States at the 2013 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships, where he won the men's 1500 meters.

Key Information

Running career

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High school

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Engels attended Ronald W. Reagan High School in Pfafftown, North Carolina, graduating in 2012. In addition to running cross country and track, he played for his school's soccer team and was a member of the Earth Club at his school.[2] By the time he graduated from Reagan High School, he had set his school's records in the 800 meters, mile, and 3200 meters.[3] In indoor track, he was a two-time NCHSAA 4A state champion in the 1000 meters, and one-time state champion in the mile.[4] In outdoor track, he was a NCHSAA 4A state champion in the mile and 800 meters.[5] His best high school mile time was recorded at the 2012 Adidas Grand Prix Dream Mile, where he ran 4:03.96, which as of 2017 is the state high school record mile time for North Carolina.[3] Throughout high school, Engels was coached by RunCCG coach, Chris Catton.

Collegiate

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Engels first attended North Carolina State with an athletic scholarship. During his freshman year, he was redshirted and experienced chronic injury problems.[6] In the summer after his freshman year, he traveled with the US junior national team to Colombia to compete at the 2013 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships, where he won the 1500 meters. Just four months after this, during winter break, Engels decided to terminate his enrollment at NC State. He considered stopping competitive running altogether, but was urged by his high school coach, Chris Catton, not to quit.[6] During his winter of uncertainty, he sent gifts individually to his teammates at NC State as a sign of goodbye, and also bought a used recreational vehicle on Craigslist, which broke down immediately after purchase.[6]

By early 2014, with some persuasion from Mississippi coach Ryan Vanhoy, who had tried to recruit Engels out of high school two years earlier, Engels transferred to University of Mississippi.[6]

During the 2015 indoor season Engels debuted for Ole Miss at the Auburn Invitational, placing third in the mile in 4:05.51. Engels also set a new personal best of 4:01.19 at the Husky Classic for 12th place. Engels ran the 1600m leg of the Rebel's SEC championship Distance Medley Relay while also finishing runner-up in the mile event at the SEC Championships in 4:03.76.

During the 2015 outdoor season Engels made his outdoor Rebel debut at the Border Clash in the 800m, finishing second with a time of 1:48.27. He also made his 1500m Rebel debut at the Virginia Challenge, breaking the school record with a time of 3:40.28. Engels raced to a personal-best 800m time of 1:46.13 at the LSU Invitational, which left him ranked No. 2 all time in school history. Engels finished 10th at the SEC Championships in the 5000m in a Personal-best time of 14:20.27 which was followed up with a third-place finish in the 1500m with a time of 3:45.37. After finishing third in the NCAA East Prelims with a time of 1:47.16, Engels went on to finish 10th at the NCAA Championships with a time of 1:47.33, the eighth-fastest time of the semifinals and .04 seconds from advancing which earned him Second team All-America honors.

During the 2015 NCAA Cross Country season, Engels placed second on the team and 16th overall at the SEC Championships with an 8K time of 24:00.00, followed by a 15th-place finish in the 9.725 Kilometer Race at the NCAA South Region Championships with a time of 31:09.2, earning All-Region honors. In the last race of the season Engels Finished 160th overall at the NCAA Championships with a 10K time of 31:31.7

During the 2016 indoor season Engels ran the 800m leg of the fourth-place DMR team at the Penn State National that set a school record with a time of 9:30.48, followed by a fifth-place finish in the 800m at the Penn State National with an indoor personal-best time of 1:47.75. He finished seventh in the 800m at the SEC Championships with a time of 1:49.86, earning All-SEC First Team honors. Engels ran the 800m leg of the SEC Champion DMR team that won the third-straight DMR crown for Ole Miss at the SEC Championships. He then ran the 800m leg for the Ole Miss DMR team that placed third at the 2016 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, earning First Team All-America honors.

Engels began the 2016 outdoor season strongly, finished first overall in the 800m at the Texas Invitational with a time of 1:47.17 and a second-place finish in the 800m at the Payton Jordan Invitational with a time of 1:47.06. He then set a school record with a second-place finish in the 1500m at the Florida Relays with a time of 3:38.82, which was the third fastest time in the NCAA in 2016. With a first-place finish in a time of 3:50.71 Engels became the first Ole' Miss man to win a SEC crown in the 1500m Run. Engels would finish 11th in the 1500m at the NCAA East Prelims (3:44.19) to qualify for the NCAA Championships, where he placed an impressive 7th in a time of 3:43.23, earning First Team All-America honors.

During the 2016 Olympic Trials Engels finished 4th and 5th in the 800m and 1500m finals while setting a personal best time of 1:46.03 in the 800m and 3:37.66 in the 1500m, which set a new Ole Miss Rebels school record.

Professional

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In July 2017, Engels joined the Nike Oregon Project to be coached by Pete Julian and left Oxford, Mississippi for Portland, Oregon. Engels planned to be coached by Pete Julian, instead of Alberto Salazar, the latter whom Engels had inadvertently introduced himself to at the 2013 USATF Outdoor Championships. Engels states his reasoning for joining the Oregon Project as largely the result of Ryan Vanhoy's (Engels coach at Ole Miss) advice and because they had the coolest gear. Vanhoy himself had briefly coached NOP Member Eric Jenkins while at Northeastern. While Engels could have joined NOP during the USATF Championships, he decided to wait until he was able to make an official visit to Portland and meet all the major players. After officially joining the Nike Oregon Project, Engels raced the Sir Walter Miler, where he finished a close second in 3:57.67 to former high school standout and professional Adidas athlete Drew Hunter's 3:57.32 efforts for first. This marks Engels first official time under 4:00 minutes in the mile, although his 3:35 1500m mark converts to a 3:53 mile.

During the 2018 indoor season, Engels knocked nearly four seconds off his mile personal best at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational at Boston University, finishing in 3:53.93. Engels' time was fast enough to qualify for the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At the USATF Indoor Championships, Engels finished third behind Ben Blankenship and Paul Chelimo, the former not having run the qualifying time for the IAAF Indoor Championships. Because of this, Engels made his first world championships team, where he finished 7th in the finals in 3:58.92, only .73 seconds behind World Indoor Champion Samuel Tefera.

Engels at the 2019 US Track & Field Championship

On July 28, 2019 Engels won the 1500m final at the 2019 USATF Outdoor Championships. Engels ran a 3:44.93, beating out 2016 Olympic gold medalist Matthew Centrowitz by 0.04 seconds in a tactical race which displayed the advantage of commanding the race from the front in lane 1.

On September 6, 2019 Engels finished 5th in the 1500 at the Diamond League final in Brussels, Belgium running a PR of 3:34.04. His time was under the Olympic Standard (3:35.00).

Engels finished 10th in the IAAF World Championships 1500 final in Doha, Qatar on October 6, 2019. He faded out of medal contention in the last 600 meters but still ran 3:34.24, just .20 off his personal best. The race was won by Kenya's Timothy Cheruiyot in 3:29.26, who led gun to wire in one of the fastest World Championships 1500s in history.[7]

During the 2021 Olympic Trials, Engels finished 4th in the 1500m final at Eugene, Oregon.

Engels qualified for the 2024 US Olympic Trials in the 1500m.[8] He finished in ninth place.

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Craig Engels (born May 1, 1994) is an American middle-distance runner specializing in the 1500 meters and mile events. Engels rose to prominence during his collegiate career, where he competed for and later the (Ole Miss). At Ole Miss, he became the first Rebel male to win the (SEC) 1500m title in 2017 with a time of 3:50.71, and contributed to an NCAA indoor championship in 2017. Transitioning to professional athletics, he secured gold medals at the 2019 USATF Outdoor Championships in the 1500m and the 2019 USATF Indoor Championships in the mile, earning selection to the team for the 2019 World Championships in Athletics, where he finished 10th in the 1500m final. He placed fourth at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 1500m. His personal best in the 1500m is 3:33.64, set in 2021, while his mile best stands at 3:52.05 from 2024. Internationally, Engels represented the at the 2018 World Indoor Championships, placing seventh in the 1500m. Earlier in his career, he won gold in the 1500m at the 2013 Pan American U20 Championships. In 2025, he continued competing at a high level, winning the HOKA Festival of Miles in with a time of 3:56.28 and finishing third at the Road Mile Championships, while placing 14th at the USATF Outdoor Championships in the 1500m.

Early life

Family background

Craig Engels was born on May 1, 1994, in Pfafftown, . He grew up in the same community, where his family emphasized physical activity and outdoor pursuits. Engels is the son of Todd and Dawn Engels. Todd is a computer analyst for Delhaize in , and Dawn is a nurse at Cone Health in Greensboro. The family's athletic heritage provided an early environment conducive to sports involvement. Prior to organized running, Engels developed an initial passion for soccer, participating in casual play and youth teams as a primary physical outlet during his elementary and years. This interest in team sports and outdoor activities, supported by his family's encouragement, indirectly fostered his engagement with athletics, including eventual exposure to track events in as an alternative pursuit.

High school career

Craig Engels attended Ronald W. Reagan High School in Pfafftown, , from 2008 to 2012, where he initially participated in junior varsity soccer before transitioning to after being removed from the team. This shift marked the beginning of his focus on , supported by his family's encouragement that provided a stable foundation for his athletic development. Under the guidance of coach Chris Catton, Engels rapidly progressed to varsity track, competing in both cross country and track events during his high school years. Catton's coaching emphasized building endurance and speed, helping Engels transition from a novice runner to a dominant competitor in middle-distance races by his junior and senior years. Engels set multiple school records at Reagan High School, including the 800 meters in 1:54.43 at the 2012 NCHSAA 4A State Championship on May 19, ; the mile in 4:03.96 at the 2012 Grand Prix Dream Mile on June 30, ; and the 3,200 meters in 9:44.19 during the 2012 outdoor season. His 4:03.96 mile also established the high school state record, which stood until 2022. Additionally, his 1,600 meters performance of 4:02.55 in set another state record. In notable races, Engels won six North Carolina state titles overall, including the 800 meters (1:54.43) and 1,600 meters (4:18.24) at the 2012 NCHSAA 4A State Championship, where he also anchored the winning 4x800-meter relay team to a time of 7:50.60. He earned two high school honors and claimed victory in the high school mile at the 2012 with a time of 4:13.70. These performances highlighted his growing prowess in middle-distance events and solidified his reputation as one of 's top prep runners.

Collegiate career

University of Mississippi

Craig Engels initially enrolled at North Carolina State University after high school but transferred to the (Ole Miss) in 2014 following persistent hip injuries that hampered his early collegiate career. His move to Ole Miss was facilitated by distance coach Ryan Vanhoy, who recognized Engels' potential based on his standout high school performances, including a in the 1,500 meters at the 2013 Pan American Junior Championships. At Ole Miss, Engels pursued a in , complemented by minors in , , and theatre arts. He maintained a strong academic record, achieving a 3.63 GPA and earning first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American honors in 2017 while balancing rigorous coursework with his athletic commitments. Following his undergraduate graduation in December 2017, he began a master's program in to further integrate his educational and athletic pursuits. Engels quickly integrated into the Ole Miss cross country and track teams as a key middle-distance specialist, contributing to the and fostering a positive team dynamic through his energetic personality. Under head coach Rob Moore and distance coach Ryan Vanhoy, he benefited from an environment that emphasized individuality and enjoyment, which helped rebuild his confidence after earlier setbacks. His role involved supporting team goals in both cross country and indoor/outdoor track seasons, where he trained alongside teammates in a collaborative setting focused on collective progress. During his tenure from 2014 to 2017, Engels followed a structured collegiate regimen that emphasized a mix of aerobic volume, typically around 60-70 miles per week, and targeted speed sessions to develop middle-distance prowess. These workouts, guided by Vanhoy's of accommodating runners' unique styles, included and tempo runs to build both and . The team utilized the Ole Miss Track & Field Complex, a modern facility featuring an eight-lane Mondo track, spectator seating for over 1,500, and adjacent support areas for strength conditioning and recovery, which underwent significant renovations during his time there to enhance resources. This setup provided ample space for daily practices, , and team meetings, contributing to the program's overall development.

Key performances

During his time at the , Craig Engels established himself as one of the top middle-distance runners in , particularly in the 1500 meters, where he consistently improved his performances and earned multiple honors. In 2016, he achieved a breakthrough at the Relays, finishing second in the 1500 meters with a time of 3:38.82, which set a new Ole Miss school record and ranked him third nationally that season. Later that year, he won the SEC Outdoor 1500m title with 3:50.71, becoming the first Ole Miss male to claim the event championship. This performance highlighted his growing prowess in outdoor competitions and contributed to his selection for higher-stakes meets. Engels continued his strong showings in 2017, capping his senior year with a second-place finish in the 1500 meters at the Invitational, clocking 3:37.75 to earn another personal best. At the SEC Outdoor Championships that May, he claimed the 1500 meters title in 3:52.90, securing his second conference individual championship. These results propelled him to the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds, where he advanced to the NCAA Championships by placing first in his first-round heat (3:46.82) and qualifying in the second round (3:56.20). On the national stage, Engels excelled at the 2017 Outdoor Championships, earning honors with a third-place finish in the 1500 meters final (3:43.54). Indoors, he contributed significantly to Ole Miss's team, anchoring the squad to a first-place finish at the Indoor Championships (9:31.32) and a third-place showing the previous year (9:31.82 in 2016). He also helped secure the SEC Indoor DMR title in 2017 with a winning time of 9:32.36. Engels's progression in the 1500 meters during his collegiate career demonstrated steady improvement, starting with a personal best of 3:40.28 at the 2015 Virginia Challenge and refining to 3:40.41 there in 2016 before his senior-year peak of 3:37.75. While his primary focus remained the 1500 meters and relays, he showed versatility in longer events like the indoor mile, posting a best of 4:01.19, though specific 3000 meters improvements were less prominent in his Ole Miss record. These achievements, supported by the cohesive Ole Miss distance group, underscored his development into a national contender.

Professional career

Early professional years

Upon graduating from the University of Mississippi in May 2017 with a degree in , Craig Engels transitioned to professional running by signing a contract with Nike and joining the training group under coach Pete Julian. Engels relocated from , to , to train with the elite group, which included Olympians like Matthew Centrowitz, allowing him to build on his collegiate personal bests in the 1500 meters and mile as a foundation for professional competition. His professional debut came at the 2017 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, where he finished fourth in the 1500 meters final with a time of 3:43.42, marking his first national-level appearance as a pro. Following this, Engels competed in the Sir Walter Miler in , placing second in 3:57.67 behind . Later that summer, Engels secured his first professional victory at the 2017 Aetna Falmouth Elite Mile in , winning in 3:58.38 by outkicking on the final straight. These early races built his profile, extending the momentum from his fifth-place finish in the 1500 meters at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, where he had qualified as a collegian.

Major competitions and records

Engels achieved his breakthrough at the national level in 2019, winning the USATF Outdoor Championships in the 1500 meters with a time of 3:44.93, edging out Olympic champion Matthew Centrowitz by 0.04 seconds. Earlier that year, he claimed the USATF Indoor Championships mile title in 3:59.69, becoming the first Ole Miss alumnus to win a U.S. medal in the event and completing a rare indoor-outdoor sweep in the distance. He represented the at the 2018 World Indoor Championships, finishing seventh in the 1500 meters final with 3:58.92, just 0.73 seconds behind the winner. The following year, he placed 10th in the 1500 meters final at the World Championships in , clocking 3:34.24. Engels has also competed in meets, including strong showings in the 1500 meters across European circuits in 2019 and 2021. Engels holds notable American marks in middle-distance events, including a personal best of 3:33.64 in the 1500 meters set on May 29, 2021, in , and an indoor 3000 meters best of 8:11.99. His indoor mile personal best of 3:52.05, achieved on February 10, 2024, ranks among the top American performances historically. In 2025, Engels continued his competitive presence with a third-place finish at the USA Road Mile Championships in , running 3:56.00. He followed this with a victory at the HOKA Festival of Miles in on June 5, winning the professional men's mile in 3:56.28 ahead of Olin Hacker. Earlier in the season, he competed in the 1500 meters at the USATF Outdoor Championships, finishing 14th overall with 3:35.44 in the qualifying round. Beyond racing, Engels took on pacing duties at events like the Invitational in April 2025, supporting elite fields in the 1500 meters.
EventDateLocationResultNotes
USATF Indoor MileFebruary 24, 2019New York, NY1st, 3:59.69National champion
USATF Outdoor 1500mJuly 28, 2019Des Moines, IA1st, 3:44.93National champion
World Championships 1500mOctober 6, 2019, 10th, 3:34.24Final
USA Road MileApril 23, 2025Des Moines, IA3rd, 3:56.00National championships
HOKA Festival of MilesJune 5, 2025, MO1st, 3:56.28Professional mile win

Personal life

Marriage and family

Craig Engels has a strong bond with his parents, Todd and Dawn Engels, who have provided consistent emotional and motivational support throughout his running career. His mother, Dawn, has described him as a naturally humorous and free-spirited individual whose dedication to track helped channel his energy productively, while his father, Todd, has been vocal about the family's pride in his achievements and their presence during challenging moments, such as after the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials where Todd noted Craig was deeply affected by the outcome. This family support has influenced key career decisions, including relocations for training and competitions; Engels has credited his parents for encouraging his move to the during college, which revitalized his passion for the sport after earlier struggles. Engels was married to Samantha Engels as of 2017. Engels often highlights how his family's encouragement has intersected with his athletic life, enabling him to prioritize mental well-being and long-term goals, such as potential future travels before considering family expansion.

Advocacy and interests

Engels has been vocal about the importance of in athletics, drawing from his own experiences with ADHD and the pressures of elite competition. He has shared how running serves as a therapeutic outlet, replacing by channeling excess energy, and emphasizes prioritizing mental well-being alongside physical to avoid burnout. In a 2021 interview, he described taking intentional breaks to spend time with friends and family, ensuring receives equal attention during high-stakes preparations like Olympic qualification. Beyond athletics, Engels maintains diverse interests that reflect his commitment to balance and . He is passionate about and , aspiring to contribute to global efforts by providing communities with resources for . This includes long-term goals of starting initiatives in alternative energy to improve for large populations. His hobbies also encompass hands-on projects like RV and van restoration, which he pursued extensively during the 2020 pandemic lockdown, alongside outdoor activities such as and . Engels engages actively in media to discuss life beyond the track, using platforms like podcasts and social media to promote enjoyment in running and personal fulfillment. In 2025 interviews, he highlighted his nomadic RV lifestyle—complete with daily routines of trail exploration and gym access—as an ideal setup for athletes seeking flexibility and adventure. On Instagram, where he shares updates under @craigathor, he connects with fans about these pursuits, reinforcing messages of fun and resilience. Looking ahead, Engels continues to eye projects in sustainable energy while embracing running's joys, supported by his family's encouragement in these endeavors.

References

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