David Ribich On Breaking Out As A Division II Star, Turning Pro, Giving Back to the Sport

David Ribich joins the CITIUS MAG Podcast after wrapping up his NCAA career at Western Oregon, where he won back-to-back NCAA Division II Outdoor 1,500 meter titles. He also helped his Western Oregon squad win back-to-back DMR titles during the NCAA Division II Indoor Championship. Ribich plans to turn professional by signing a contract in the coming weeks ahead of the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines.

How did he get here? How does a Division II kid blossom into someone who reached the 2017 U.S. 1,500m final and lined up next to Olympic champion Matthew Centrowitz? Ribich tells his story.

We delve into what it means to have that Division II label? How does he zone out the ‘Beat the Division II kid!’ chants during races? What did it mean to win an NCAA DMR title by .001 seconds? Is there a rivalry between Western Oregon and Adams State? What’s the best piece of advice given to him by some of his influential coaches?

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Chris Chavez

Chris Chavez launched CITIUS MAG in 2016 as a passion project while working full-time for Sports Illustrated. He covered the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and grew his humble blog into a multi-pronged media company. He completed all six World Marathon Majors and is an aspiring sub-five-minute miler.