The train keeps on rolling for Noah Affolder. After relaxed transition to New York running as a sophomore, Affolder has turned into the man to beat in 2015. Expecting Conor Lundy to help push him through the race, the plan changed after Lundy came down with illness after a College Recruiting trip the week prior. With no strings attached, Affolder blasted from the gun, using the pace cart as the sole motivation. Coming through the first mile at 4:42, it was clear he was a man on a mission. Continuing to pound, he came through at 9:30 for the full two-mile, a 9:26 3200m equivalent. On record pace, Affolder pushed further, a huge gap on the field. Coming down the finish stretch, it was a mad sprint towards the finish, with a slight look at the clock, and the announcer counting down, Affolder pointed to the sky, crossing with exuberance. He had crushed the course record by over 10 seconds, putting the question into everyone's mind. Could the 14-minute barrier be broken in Affolder's senior year? It seems to be almost unthinkable, just like sub-12 at Manhattan once was. The Junior who has cruised to two course records, and five weekends undefeated, is removing what impossible really is.
Behind him, there were plenty of stories, not excluding his younger brother, who may have set the freshman course record in his own right.