Pokes Insider: Ryker Holtzen’s final run

LARAMIE – Ryker Holtzen will proudly carry the brown and gold banner for Wyoming on the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships this week in Eugene, Ore.
 
The senior from Twin Falls, Idaho, is set to place an exclamation level on a superb profession within the 3,000-meter steeplechase, beginning with the nationwide semifinals scheduled for six:38 p.m. Wednesday at historic Hayward Field.
 
Holtzen is the Mountain West champion and UW file holder in his signature occasion. He may should beat his private greatest time 8 minutes, 34.06 seconds to advance to Friday’s remaining.
 
“I’m riding high,” Holtzen mentioned on the One Wyoming Podcast. “It makes me really thankful to be a part of this program and to wear the brown and gold and for the amazing people I have around me here. I’m feeling very blessed to be here and to be going back (to the NCAAs).”
 
During final 12 months’s nationwide championships, Holtzen earned second-team All-American honors by ending 15^th within the semifinals. However, solely the highest 12 finishers advance to the ultimate.
 
Holtzen believes he’s ready to react to any type of race this time.
 
“I think I’m going into it with some experience and knowledge maybe some guys don’t have,” he mentioned. “I remember last year in that race a really big move being made and I just really struggled to match that. I feel something this year through training and even in races that I’ve seen I’ve been able to match that and make that pick up. I know that will happen going forward and I’m ready for it.”
 
Holtzen is bursting with confidence after a clutch efficiency on the West Regional in Fayetteville, Ark. After watching two quick heats, the composed Cowboy knew he must end within the high three of the third warmth to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
 
Before the ultimate barrier bounce into the water, Holtzen made his cost, took the lead and gained the warmth in 8:36.81 to punch his ticket.
 
“The first two heats ran quick, so we walked out there and I think everybody in my heat was a little shocked. It kind of set in that we might not take time qualifiers,” Holtzen mentioned. “The race we went out gradual. The first (kilometer) was fairly gradual and I knew there was going to be a giant transfer made and I knew we weren’t going to take a qualifier, and I needed to put myself within the high three.
 
“I stayed pretty calm, collected and got through, got to that last lap and knew I could win it.”
 
Holtzen and fellow senior Jacob White depart a legacy at UW that may endure.
 
The duo led the Cowboys to the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2024. On the observe, White owns the college file within the indoor 5,000 meters (13:32.97) and Holtzen is second on the all-time record (13:38.73). White (3:58.89) and Holtzen (4:00.37) are additionally one-two within the indoor mile.
 
White was an All-American final season within the out of doors 1,500 and owns the UW file with a time of three:40.52. Holtzen (3:44.78) ran the seventh-fastest time in UW historical past within the occasion.
 
“It was nice to do well, and it was great to do it with him. He’s the best runner I’ve ever known, he’s amazing,” Holtzen mentioned of White, who didn’t qualify for the NCAA Championships after competing effectively in Eugene in 2025. “I think we’re both happy, maybe not (for) being remembered in any way but just pushing this program in the right direction. We hope we leave a mark here that brings in other recruits. They see that we’re names that can be seen on the national stage.”
 
Eight of the 12 athletes in Holtzen’s semifinal warmth have run the occasion sooner than his private greatest time. The high 5 finishers in every semifinal and the following two greatest occasions advance to the ultimate set for six:24 p.m. Friday on ESPN2.

But Holtzen is extremely motivated to run two extra races carrying the brown and gold.

 

“I want to do well for me, I want to do well for this program, this school,” Holtzen mentioned. “I’m really proud of my time here, really proud of this school, and I want to put on for all that.”

 

Follow Ryan for extra tales on Wyoming athletics on X at @By_RyanThorburn on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and Instagram at wyoathletics. Also observe him at Pokes Insider at Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.

 

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