Who is the greatest NCAA Division II distance runner of all-time?

While that question can certainly be debated, I will offer that the greatest NCAA Division II Distance Runner of all-time ran for the Lee University Flames and his name is Christian Noble.

Noble made history and wowed the crowd at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Ala. in March 2021 as he laid claim to Lee's first NCAA National Championship by winning the Indoor 3000-meter run. A day later he would add a 5000-meter national title to the trophy shelf with another dominating performance. Earlier in the season, Noble set the D2 record in the 5000m (13:37.39) and the 3000m (7:51.46).

Not to be outdone by 2021's accolades, the man that never shies away from the spotlight, or the mountain of pressure that comes with it, started chasing other D2 records in the mile, 1500m and Distance Medley Relay in the winter of 2022 as he tried to close out his career as the most decorated NCAA D2 distance runner of the all-time. Remarkably, he answered the bell each time. Noble broke the mile record at Boston University's Last Chance Meet with a time of 3:56.10 and just a few hours later returned to break his own 3000m mark with a time of 7:50.98.  He then chased down the 1500m mark at historic Hayward Field registering a 3:36.00 at the prestigious Oregon Relays. The 3:36.00 is the 11^th fastest collegiate time ever.

When the dust settled the kid from Indiana left Lee University breaking six NCAA D2 National Records and currently holds four (3k, mile, 1500m, DMR), three national championships (5k, 3k, DMR), the No. 2 all-time mark in the 5000m outdoor, No. 9 all-time mark in the 3000m steeplechase, seven All-American honors, and certainly a lasting legacy.

Noble came to Lee as a highly touted high school prospect from Greenfield, Ind. But even the confident Noble couldn't have envisioned what his journey to the Volunteer State would become. "When I was in high school, I didn't start really running seriously until my junior year. I didn't know much about the sport, and I basically started running because my friends did and my dad ran in high school," acknowledged Noble. "Turns out I was pretty good from the start. My career really took of my senior year when I ran under 15 minutes in the 5k, which was top 20 in the nation, and made it to Footlocker Nationals."

With his stock rising on the recruiting trail, Noble took a fateful visit to the Lee University campus and met with head coach Caleb Morgan, "I took a visit to Lee my senior year and the first thing that drew my attention to the school was Coach Morgan. We sat down and he said we think you could be one of the best D2 athletes ever. I don't know whether he really saw it, or it was just a recruiting pitch," joked Noble, "but he believed in me from the start and continued to pour into me and help me become the best athlete I could be over my six years with the program. We became very close and I trusted him and knew he had my best interest in my mind. I wanted to give my best to this program, both to help the team and mark my own path in D2 history."

Noble started fast, winning GSC Freshman of the Year in both cross country and track and field during the 2016-17 season, while also capturing All-American status in the 3000m Steeplechase in his first season. From there he put on a dominating six-year run that cemented his place in history as one the greatest NCAA D2 distance runners of all-time.

Starting in his sophomore year of cross country, Noble became the first conference runner to win four (2017, 2018, 2020, 2021) GSC Individual Championships. He redshirted and did not compete in 2019. In the fall of 2018, he became Lee's first NCAA D2 First Team All-American.

"I wanted to come in and be the best D2 runner ever. It was certainly a lofty goal, and it wasn't always the most linear path, but I knew I wanted to break records and make an impact," said Noble. "I didn't start breaking records until my fifth and sixth seasons, which wasn't even originally guaranteed. Coach Morgan and I made a commitment in my fifth year (2021) to start trying to break NCAA D2 records."

After reaching his goals and then some in 2021 with D2 records and Indoor National Championships in the 5000m and 3000m, Noble raised the stakes in 2022, his final season with the Flames, "In 2022 I wanted to make a name for myself and for my team and I wanted to break the mile record and win the DMR as a team," noted Noble. Earlier in the indoor season he checked the mile box with a sizzling time of 3:56.10. Then, the exclamation point came as Noble ran the anchor leg in the DMR at the 2022 Indoor Track and Field National Championships. The Flames were in third and looked like they would have to settle for just a podium finish before Noble took the baton and ran an unthinkable 3:53 mile split to make up a seemingly insurmountable gap and give the Flames a fifth Indoor National Title over the last two years. The time of 9:34.51 gave Noble a fifth record breaking performance over his illustrious career.

"I wanted to change the way D2 looks at running fast. I wanted to change the narrative that we can't run as fast as D1," Noble stated with a wry smile and a full appreciation of what he was able to accomplish as a Lee Flame runner. "It doesn't matter what school you go to, whether they have 25,000 students or 5,000 students, fast is fast. I started calling my shots on social media and more times than not I was able to reach my mark. I loved having that pressure on my back."

With the continued success he experienced on the track, and in working closely with Coach Morgan, opportunities began to surface for a professional career for Noble after he was done running collegiately. A fitting capstone was his official signing with New Balance in May of 2022. He signed with Global Athletics & Marketing for representation and joined the professional training ranks at New Balance with Team Boston.

"I signed a professional contract with New Balance this spring after a lengthy process of developing my times and talking with different brands. I branded myself as the best D2 distance runner of all-time with the five records I've broken. There's been amazing athletes that have come before me, but my brand was breaking records and I think New Balance took notice. It was a stressful process though; you go into races thinking you don't want to run bad and hurt your chances at a professional career, so you have that added weight on your shoulders. Fortunately, I was able to run well this year," said Noble. "My goal in going pro is to make USA's and then to pursue representing our country at the World Championships and Olympics. With New Balance I think they give me the best opportunities to pursue those goals with world-class coaches and facilities. So, I'll call my shot one more time and say you'll see me in the red, white, and blue representing our country soon."

Noble concluded by taking a moment to thank the Lee Athletic leadership team for the opportunities afforded to him, "I'm grateful for Lee and giving me this opportunity to chase my goals. To Dr. Conn and Dr. Walker, Coach Morgan, Coach Carpenter (Lee Athletic Director), and Jessica McIntyre (Lee Associate Athletic Director), I'm thankful for the positions they hold and the opportunities they've given me and keeping me around for so long. It's been a great ride here and I'm thankful for Lee University."

"Christian's career at Lee University has taught a lot of people that division doesn't matter. Whether you are D1, D2, or NAIA you can be fast and sign a pro contract at any level," said Morgan. "Track is such a unique sport. The best in our sport have the opportunity to line up against the best in D1. When we flew Christian out to Oregon and he broke the D2 record in the 1500m and ran the fourth fastest time in the world, it gave so much exposure to our university and track & field program. This resulted in him being able to sign a major contract with New Balance that allows him to train and compete as a pro athlete."

If you ask Coach Morgan who the greatest D2 runner is of all-time his answer is clear, "Christian will go down as the greatest distance runner to ever come through D2. He set six D2 records, won two individual national titles, and beat countless pro athletes in his time at Lee. We are sad to see him go but can't wait to see what he accomplishes at the next level."

Lots of athletes talk a big game, few can actually back it up. Christian Noble is one of those few, and the landscape of Lee and NCAA D2 distance running will never be the same.