We’re living in the golden era of NCAA middle distance running, and Elliott Cook is right in the center of it.

Elliot is the NCAA Outdoor 1500m runner-up (3:39.57) from 2024, while also coming in 8th at the US Olympic Team trials that year, running a career best 3:33.84. His other PRs include a 3:55 mile and 1:45.26 in the 800m.

In high school he was a four-time Ohio D1 Central District champion, a state indoor 1600m champion in 2020, and nabbed district titles in the 800m and 1600m; he also had a top-10 finish at Nike Cross Midwest.

Now a senior at Oregon finishing up his last days as a collegiate runner, Elliot battled a hip injury throughout the winter, but was able to compete this spring and summer, where, in July he ran his 800m personal best. He competed at the US Olympic Trials again this past summer, running a strong 3:35.36 to finish fourth in his heat, but missed the finals in a stacked field.

Elliott’s rise reminds us that progress doesn’t always announce itself, sometimes it builds quietly until the moment everything clicks. If you’re chasing something big, take a page from his story. Stay patient. Stay consistent. Your breakthrough might be closer than you think.

Tap into the Elliot Cook Special.

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