Superman: Alex Phillip Flies Again, Setting JCU Record in Indoor 5k

12/3/2021 11:24:00 PM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Alex Phillip became one of just 3 runners in D-III history to run the 5k in under 14 minutes. (file photo)

ALLENDALE, Mich. -- It's Alex Phillip's world, we're just living in it.

In another astounding feat of strength, Alex Phillip kept his Superman show going, this time in a different venue.

In his first indoor meet of the season, Phillip roared. Just 13 days after conquering the country at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships, Phillip felled another record on Friday.

In the 5000 Meter run at the Grand Valley State Holiday Open, Phillip crushed it. The junior collected an incredible time of 13:58.42. Not only was it a John Carroll record, Phillip became a part of history.

In running a sub-14 minute 5k, Phillip becomes the third runner in Division III history to do so. Phillip joins Dan Mayer and Ian LaMere as the only men to break 14 minutes in the indoor 5k, regardless of track size. Phillip called it a "childhood dream."

Phillip did so amongst mostly Division I and Division II runners. In the 16-athlete field, Phillip placed eighth. The first and fifth-place finishers hailed from Wisconsin (Division I), the second-place runner was from Eastern Michigan (D-I), the third and fourth-place runners were from Grand Valley (D-II), and the seventh-placer was from Charlotte (D-I). Phillip beat out a pair of Division I runners, too.

With the time, Phillip places himself in great position for the rest of indoor track & field season. The Akron native has plenty more lofty goals after becoming the program's first national champ, NCAA D-III Runner of the Year, two-time All-American, and OAC Men's Runner of the Year.

Plenty more is in store for Phillip, no doubt about it.

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