Air Force Academy junior Sam Gilman, an NCAA Division 1 cross country All-American, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss his 13:25.17 performance Dec. 4 in the indoor 5,000 meters at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener at Boston University. Gilman reveals how meaningful it was to be competing in indoor track for the first time in nearly 10 months and how he excels as a rhythm runner on the oval. He expresses gratitude to Air Force distance coach Ryan Cole for advocating for Gilman to be in the fastest heat of the 5,000 in Boston, in addition to analyzing how valuable it was to have U.S. Olympian, former Colorado standout and On Athletics Club professional Joe Klecker pacing the race. Gilman reflects on running 13:48.36 in February at Iowa State and being able to produce such a significant drop in less than a calendar year. He speaks about being able to maintain fitness from the conclusion of cross country season, which included a pair of 10-kilometer races during an eight-day span at the Mountain Regional in Provo, Utah, followed by the Division 1 final Nov. 20 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla. Gilman revisits his 26th-place finish at the national championship, earning All-America honors for the first time in his career, and his ability to rebound from a 34th-place effort at the Mountain Regional. He also asseses how challenging it is for a team to have five student-athletes all having their strongest performances of the season at the national final, and how the 17th-place finish will motivate Air Force next fall in the Falcons' pursuit of a top-10 result. Gilman explains how beneficial it is for Air Force to compete in the Mountain West Conference and to have the leadership of both Cole and head track coach Ralph Lindeman, along with the challenges provided by the Mountain Region and racing against Northern Arizona and Brigham Young, programs that have combined to win the past six national titles. He also looks forward to having California standouts Zach Ayers of Davis Senior and Max Sannes of Big Bear, along with Georgia prep signee Ethan Ashley join the program after the three competitiors placed 21st, 22nd and 23rd at the Eastbay Cross Country Championships on Dec. 11 at Balboa Park's Morley Field in San Diego. Gilman also shares how inspirational fellow Air Force student-athletes Michael Rhoads, Jaci Smith, Maria Mettler and reigning Division 1 3,000-meter steeplechase champion Mahala Norris have been in providing him the motivation to challenge for an NCAA title during his career. He also speaks about his academic pursuits in business management and the desire to become an acquisitions officer following his graduation, as well as the ambition to compete as a post-collegiate athlete, potentially in the Air Force World Class Athlete program.