Team USA’s extraordinary performance at the Summer Games in Paris has put American distance running back on the map. As far as CLU is concerned, all roads lead to Eric Talbert. The Simi Valley native has been the cross country program’s most consistent performer the last two seasons, especially in 2023 when he was the top male finisher at every event, including a fourth-place finish at the Moorpark Invite. Coach Brett Halvaks described his senior captain, who last spring became the first Kingsman in nearly 40 years to run the 5K in under 15 minutes, as the program’s premier distance runner. In his inaugural 10K at last year’s SCIAC Championships, he recorded the seventh-fastest time in university history. Talbert placed 104th at the NCAA West Region Championships in the 8K with a time of 27:10. A business major aspiring to work for a major sports brand like Nike, Adidas, or New Balance, Talbert would love to conclude his cross country career by earning All-SCIAC honors and qualifying for NCAA Nationals. Both appear within reach.
