Notre Dame de Namur Athlete Jason Gomez Wins 1500m

Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) freshman phenom Jason Gomez continued his record-breaking season on Sunday, June 23, 2019, winning the 1500m race at the USA Track and Field U20 [Under 20] Athletics Championships. Gomez used a blazing final lap to take home the title and punch his ticket to the Pan American U20 Games in Costa Rica next month.

Gomez has shined since stepping on campus for the NDNU Argonauts last fall, earning accolade after accolade on the track. He was named PacWest Conference Freshman of the Year, First Team All-PacWest. and NDNU Male Athletic of the Year while taking home a conference title in the 1500m. In addition to his awards, Gomez became NDNU’s first runner to race in the NCAA DII National Championships when he competed in the 800m.

All that work paid off this weekend when Gomez turned heads on the national stage. He went to the USATF U20 Championships with a spot in both the 800m and 1500m fields. On Saturday, in the 800m prelims, Gomez used an incredible pick in the final 300m, racing from the back and blowing past the competition.

“Jason looked very sharp in the 800m prelims on Saturday,” said Head Coach Sean Smith. “He closed faster than he had all season with a 52.72 final lap, the fastest in the field.”

In Sunday’s final, things did not go as planned in the 800m as Gomez stepped off the track halfway thru with dizziness.

“It was 108 degrees real feel on the track and Jason was a little dehydrated and smartly stepped off when he wasn’t feeling it,” Smith commented.

The day was not over, however, with the 1500m final coming up just two races later. Gomez and Smith had a decision to make and had very little time to come up with a plan.

“Immediately after he got off the track we had to act quickly and decide if we could recalibrate and attempt the 1500m. We got some fluids and sugar in him and figured, we flew 3,000 miles to be here, let’s go for it.”

The 1500m started out very slow, playing right into Gomez’s hand. The slow start allowed Gomez to get his bearing after the 800m and stick close enough to the pack to make his usual kick down the home stretch.

Smith was very surprised by what he was seeing but knew it would help Gomez. “I think this was the most tactical race I’ve ever seen in a championship,” he said. “I was thinking, ‘These guys are going to hand Jason the win if this pace keeps up.’ I just don’t know many other runners, any age, who can close as fast as Jason in the final 400m of a tactical race.”

That was exactly what happened as Gomez shot to the front on an inside pass just before the final 400m. From there, he held off Drew Maher of Penn State with a 51.88 final lap to win the race at 4:25.83 and take home the title.

“His inside move going into the bell lap reminded of the finals in the Rio Olympics,” Smith said. “In fact, Jason’s final lap was only one second behind those Olympic runners.”

Gomez’s next appearance will take place in San Jose, Costa Rica, on July 19 when he represents the United States of America at the Pan American U20 Athletics Championships.

“To have him represent the United States next month on the world stage against the best athletes under 20 is an honor, and one I know he’s thrilled about,” Smith added. “He’s had a special year and he just keeps adding to it. Jason’s a great kid and he deserves this opportunity.”

The Pan American U20 Athletics Championships are held every other year and feature 31 competing nations in 44 events. This year is the 20th edition of the games and will be held from July 19–21, 2019.