German Fernandez arrived at Oklahoma State University as the most anticipated freshman distance runner in a generation.

Fernandez wowed fans as a prep runner in California, running a 4:00.29/8:34.23 1600/3200 double at the California state meet and setting the two-mile high school national record of 8:34.40 later that summer at Nike Outdoor Nationals.

Fernandez’s first cross country season was stellar but ended in disappointing fashion as he was forced to drop out of the NCAA championship race with an injury. He quickly bounced back in the winter and was on fire for indoors. He put up marks like 3:55.02 for the mile and 7:47.07 for 3,000 meters and finishing 11th in the World Cross Country Championships junior race.

Then came outdoors.

After a brief injury early in the spring, Fernandez dueled with Chris Derrick for the rights to the American junior 5000 meter record at Payton Jordan – a race that Derrick ultimately prevailed in.

And then came NCAA’s. Opting to avoid the freight train known as Galen Rupp in the 5K, Fernandez dropped down to the 1,500 meters and utilized his front running tactic to near perfection.

Watch and admire above.