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.

Here are some questions to get know CLU's top distance runner, who was just named SCIAC's Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week:
 

Q: Favorite place to grab breakfast near campus (and your go-to order)
A: Noah's Bagels. Two bacon/avocado/tomato sandwiches with two eggs on each.

Q: If you could see one artist live in concert this year, who would it be?
A: Travis Scott

Q: Best movie you've seen in the last six months
A: Deadpool & Wolverine

Q: Member of CLU faculty who has had the biggest impact/influence on your life
A: Easily my coach, Brett Halvaks. There's so much I can say about him, but the main thing he helped me do was believe in myself.

Q: Tell us something interesting about your hometown
A: Simi Valley was named after the Chumash word shimiji , which translates to "little white clouds that dance on the wind."

Q: People say my celebrity look-a-like is ...
A: Without my glasses on, people say I look like Goose from Top Gun.

Q: If you could attend any sporting event in the world, it would be...
A: 2026 FIFA World Cup

Q: Favorite social media app to scroll
A: Instagram

Q: Historical figure (living or dead) you'd most like to spend an hour with
A: Barack Obama

Q: Your favorite highlight of the 2024 Olympics
A: Cole Hocker winning the 1500m Gold for the U.S.

Q: Do your friends/teammates have a nickname for you? What is it?
A: Yes, my friends have quite a few nicknames for me, but the most common are "NBA Eric" and "Talbs."

Q: Favorite place to go for a run in this area
A: Wildwood Regional Park. It's absolutely beautiful.

Q: Dog guy or cat guy?
A: 100% dog guy

Q: Meal you most covet after finishing a long race
A: Chick-Fil-A Deluxe

Q. Monthly subscription you absolutely couldn't live without
A: Netflix

Q: The best running shoe in the world right now is…
A: It has to be the Nike Vaporfly 3

Q: When it comes to Simi Valley… East Side? Or West Side?
A: West Side, and it's not even close.