Midday Treat with HOKA NAZ Elite HOKA NAZ Elite

HOKA NAZ Elite's Krissy Gear recaps her bronze medal finish at the 2023 USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships in the 1500 meters. The race also featured Nikki Hiltz and Sage Hurta-Klecker. Krissy describes her mindset going into the race, what it's like to race in a tactical 1500, and what she was thinking as the race heated up with 300 meters to go. Plus, she's got a great way for how to determine whether or not you had a good race, "Did I have my best day?"

HOKA NAZ Elite's Abby Nichols recaps her 4:29.09 mile victory at the 2023 BU Bruce Lehane Scarlet and White Invitational. The run was Abby's first time under 4:30 for the mile and it was a HOKA NAZ Elite Team Record. Hear about what the race was like mentally and physically, and what it means for Abby, moving forward.

Happy NCAA Cross Country week! In advance of the Championships, we hosted a Fantasy XC Draft and recorded it for this special edition of the Midday Treat with NAZ Elite Podcast hosted by Ben Rosario and featuring coach Jenna Wrieden, Krissy Gear, Olin Hacker and surprise guest Kyle Merber of Citius Mag. Enjoy!!

An awesome conversation between Futsum Zienasellassie and NAZ executive director Ben Rosario about Futsum re-signing with the team, his upbringing in Eritrea, moving to the U.S. at the age of 14, finding cross country after missing the date for soccer tryouts, his up and down career at NAU, and what he's looking forward to in the months ahead.

HOKA NAZ Elite rookie Abby Nichols talks about growing up in a family of musicians, switching from gymnastics and cheer to running track, becoming a state champion, choosing Ohio St, transferring to CU, the pressure of the NCAA Championships, moving to Flagstaff, her new teammates, and her goals for the next few months.
(1:00) Intro to Abby's story
(2:20) Talking the great state of Ohio and finding running
(5:00) Growing up in a family of musicians
(7:00) Abby's high school career
(8:30) Ohio St. and winning a Big 10 title
(15:00) Transferring to CU
(19:00) Competing at the National Level
(24:38) The NCAA Track Champs- physically and mentally
(27:32) Moving to Flagstaff
(30:00) Goals for the next few months

Olin Hacker takes us through his high school career in Wisconsin where he became a State Champion and finished second at both NXN and Foot Locker finals his senior year in cross country. Then he discusses his seven years at the University of Wisconsin that culminated in an NCAA Championship at 5,000 meters. Finally, he chats about his first month-and-a-half with HOKA NAZ Elite and his goals for 2023.