Mantz travels long distance to 5K national title

The indoor track & field season has been moderately frustrating for Connor Mantz. Even though the Skyview (UT) junior has run a few quality times since the start of the year, the victories have been minimal.

But it all came together Friday night at the New Balance National Indoor Championships.

Engaged in a neck-and-neck battle with Tennessee’s Aaron Templeton in the 5,000-meter run, Mantz secured the lead for good with a mile remaining and then cruised to a nation No. 1 clocking of 14 minutes, 24.33 seconds inside the New Balance Armory. Templeton, a senior from Hardin Valley Academy, finished second at 14:37.84. Defending champion Elijah Armstrong of Pocatello (ID) was third at 14:48.72.

Mantz assured himself the coveted ring awarded to the winners of the championship races by blazing his final 600 in 1:39. A total of eight runners broke 15 minutes.

“My goal was to run sub 14:30 and I thought I needed to run like 1:09 (for the last 400) to get that. I was just like, ‘I got to give it my all right here,’” he said. “I didn’t know where everybody was, but I knew Aaron and Elijah both have very good kicks. I knew if they were within 40 meters they could pass me if I didn’t really push it.”

Mantz, a seventh-place finisher at the Foot Locker Nationals back in December, has managed just two victories this indoor season, both at 1,600 meters. He was also second to Armstrong at the Jackson Invitational in Boise on Jan. 24, running 9:09.44 for two miles and third at the Simplot Games (Armstrong was second) on Feb. 13, where he was timed in 9:12.99 for 3,200 meters.

Mantz knew he had an eye-opening performance in him and was happy it came on indoor track & field’s biggest stage.

“I am faster than last year and my workouts are showing between 10-20 second in my two mile and stuff,” he said. “I know my training has been going great. It feels good to have a good race.”

Mantz and Templeton did the pace-setting from the minute the smoke cleared the starter’s gun. With Templeton holding a slight edge, the duo went through the first 800 at 2:16 and were 4:34 at 1,600.  Armstrong led the chase pack about 40-meters behind.

“I never actually thought about leading early. I was trying to stick with Aaron for a lot of it,” Mantz said. “If the pace went out slow I was going to lead it. The pace went out pretty good.”

Mantz took its first lead at 2,700 meters. Templeton went back in front briefly before the Skyview runner resumed control again and maintained it to the finish line-banner. He passed the 3,200 mark in 9:14.9.

“Aaron made a big move away from the pack and I just wanted to stick on it and keep up with him,” Mantz said. “But after a ways, I thought the pace was strung out a lot and thought maybe I’ll do a little work so I decided to lead it and then he passed me and I passed him again. I don’t feel I increased the pace at all.”

The first mile I got out there,” said Templeton, a third-place finisher in the two mile at last year’s NBNI meet and the Foot Locker South regional champion this past fall with a best of 14:36 for 5K. “The last mile, Connor just ate me up.”

Mantz is unsure his immediate plans after his latest victory. But it may include a return visit to California for the Arcadia Invitational. Last year he was 21st overall in the mega-talented 3,200m field with a time of 9:04.05.

“I am thinking about it,” he said. “Last year I went out way too hard. My stomach wasn’t feeling good. I went out in like a 62 (seconds) and my third lap was about a 72 (seconds). It slowed down that much. I think it would be a great race to go to, though.”

 

Championship Boys 5000m (View Official Results)