We have one cool cat on the show today and one of the best middle distance runners in the United States and the World.

Craig Engels is only 26 years old, but already has an impressive resume as a world-class middle distance runner. He is the 2019 USATF 1500m National Champion in a race where battled the reigning Olympic Gold Medalist, Matt Centrowitz, to the line winning by .04 seconds. He went on to make the IAAF World Championship final that year in the 1500m, where he finished 10th, just .20 seconds off his personal best of 3:34.04. Craig started off 2019 with another USATF title in the mile at the USATF Indoor Championships. Another major highlight of his professional career includes a 7th place finish at the World Indoor Championships in the 1500m in 2018. He also has a personal best of 1:44.68 in the 800m. Craig is coached by Pete Julian and runs for Nike.

Mr. Engels attended Ole Miss for a majority of his collegiate career after transferring from North Carolina State University. At Ole Miss, he was a multiple-time NCAA All-American, the first SEC Champion in the 1500m from Ole Miss, and the school-record holder in the 1500m. His senior season he finished 7th at the NCAA Championships in the 1500m, but just a few weeks later at the 2016 Olympic Trials he burst onto the national scene placing 4th in the 800m and 5th in the 1500m, nearly making the Olympic team.

He was born and raised in North Carolina and attended Ronald W. Reagan High School in Pfafftown. He set school records in the 800m, mile, and 3200m and also won the best hair award at his high school.

Craig's reputation as being cooler than the other side of the pillow held up in this pod. We hope you all enjoy it as much as we did recording it. Thanks Craig!

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