D3 Runner Gives His Opinion on Seth Clevenger Situation.

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OLIVET, Mich. — Rowan University’s Track and Field program has been under scrutiny since winning its first-ever indoor title at the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. They secured the championship in part due to Seth Clevenger winning two individual national championships in the men’s 5000-meter run and 3000-meter run. This is where the story gets interesting.

At the award ceremony for the 5k after receiving their trophies and medals, the men who finished in places second through eighth walked off the podium and proceeded to take their own picture while Clevenger received his award. This was because several athletes believed that Clevenger shouldn’t have been allowed to compete this season for admitting to doping when he attended his previous school, Iowa State University, and was subsequently removed from the team. For more context, read this story from D3 Glory Days about the situation.

            As a Division III runner and aspiring journalist, I feel like it’s my responsibility to share my opinion on this matter to provide better insight into how others might be feeling. In the two years that I have been competing at the Division III level, I have had nothing but positive interactions with everyone I have come into contact with, including teammates, coaches, and opposing teams. It’s competitive, but it’s also a family. There’s a mutual respect amongst all competitors who have a true love for the sport. If these allegations are true, it’s very disheartening for me to see this not being taken as seriously as it should be.

However, I stand with my fellow DIII runners and their decision to walk off the podium. It’s not fair for someone who has admitted to cheating to be allowed to compete in the same academic year he was kicked off another team. I’m all for giving second chances, but there should have been a suspension by the NCAA for this academic school year, since that is typically the punishment when an athlete is caught doping. To me, it makes our sport look bad. It shows no level of accountability by the NCAA or Rowan University when it comes to disciplining its athletes who decide to break its rules. It makes our sport look bad, and it shows people that you can get away with breaking the rules with a slap on the wrist.

As an athlete, I take pride in working hard and achieving my goals naturally. I would like to hope that the NCAA would do the right thing when it comes to disciplining its athletes; however, they do have a history of harsh or, in some cases, unfair penalties regarding violations of its rules. Reggie Bush had to return his Heisman Trophy, SMU lost its football team for a season, and UM having it’s head coach suspended for ten years and received a heavy fine. All of these were cases where a school or player did something that was either against the rules at the time or currently still is. In all of which, the NCAA disciplined those involved. So my question is: “Is it because he’s a Division III athlete, so it doesn’t mean as much?” If not, then what is it? The other men who finished who were on that podium with Clevenger earned their way there the right way, through hard work and dedication. It’s those values that matter to us as athletes that separate us from others who are willing to cheat.