Last night, Michigan senior Ben Flanagan delivered on Bo Schembechler’s famous words, “Those who stay will be champions.” Flanagan entered the NCAA Championships with the second slowest seed in the field and a PR (personal record) of 29:33 for the 10,000 meters.
However, Flanagan responded to a late move by Alabama’s Vincent Kiprop and out kicked him to the finish line with a time of 28:34 (just 9 seconds off the school record) and an NCAA Championship.
BEN FLANAGAN WITH THE CRAZY KICK FTW & #ncaaTF 10K ! pic.twitter.com/agTOqynodF
— NCAA Track & Field (@NCAATrackField) June 7, 2018
The race was the last of Flanagan’s career, the fifth year senior finished his time at Michigan on grand fashion.
When it hits you that you just kicked your way to an NCAA title…Congrats @bennyflanagan pic.twitter.com/VHcizKqzIn
— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) June 7, 2018
When Flanagan won, he was more concerned about where his mother was than the victory itself.
“WHERE’S MY MOM?” @bennyflanagan so glad I got to see this race (even on a tv screen)!! proud of you, National Champion!!! GO BLUE 〽️ pic.twitter.com/4y3J0BKvrT
— riles (@rileymbarnett) June 7, 2018
Flanagan also received All-America and First Team Big Ten honors in Cross Country for the 2017-2018 season.