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Q&A with Dominic Serem, CU's Top Cross-Country Runner
After transferring from Toledo University,Ìý (Anth’28) of Kapsabet, Kenya, quickly established himself as the CU men’s cross-country’s top runner of 2025, posting two top-5 finishes and leading the resurgent Buffs to 10th place at November’s NCAAs.Ìý
What made you start running seriously?Ìý
I started running in 5th grade. Kenya is a country of athletes. I grew up seeing people running at altitude. It’s serious work that leads to other successes. I wanted to join a school in America because of everything happening now in the NCAA. College athletes are treated like professionals.Ìý
What about ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ made you want to come here after previously running for Oklahoma and Toledo?Ìý
Colorado lets me train at altitude like I did in Kenya. CU has the indoor track facility, great support from staff and coaches and competitive teammates.Ìý
Which teammates have helped push you to succeed?Ìý
Everyone on the team is so strong.ÌýIsaiah Givens (EnvSt’26),ÌýJames OverbergÌý(MechEng’25) and me — we run the same paces, stay in the same shape. They’re pushing me throughout training. And it’s more than the three of us. We need that whole team effort, everyone being competitive, especially when we make it to Nationals.Ìý
What’s a typical week of training like for you?Ìý
My mileage has gone up since I joined CU. I usually run 90 to 100 miles each week. It’s working really well. It’s part of the spirit of the team, and it’s not a crazy workload — it’s a training plan we can handle. Even the week before races, we’re still doing at least 80 miles. We go down a little in mileage before the race and then treat the race as a workout.
Is there a race from this year that stands out?Ìý
Two races went really well. I ran the courses like I had planned with Coach. The first was Gans Creek at Columbia, Missouri. I got fifth. I was hoping for top 10. The other was the Nuttycombe Invitational at Madison, Wisconsin, where I got fourth. We were racing against New Mexico, one of the top teams. Our plan was to go out and compete, and we met that challenge. Madison was the Nationals course in 2024, and I didn’t run that well there, so getting fourth place there this year meant a lot.Ìý
What have you learned from second-year head coach Sean Carlson?Ìý
I see Coach Carlson as a father, brother and a leader to each of us. He’s there for everyone on the team, everyone on staff. I like that he means what he says. It’s not just talk. I’ve seen a lot of improvement in one season under him. I still have a long way to go.Ìý
What does it mean to be part of a historic program that is ascendant again?Ìý
Coach Carlson has had a hugely positive impact on the team. It’s a winning culture. I’m able to contribute something positive to the program. It’s an incredible feeling to be part of a young team that is improving.Ìý
How do you mentally prepare for big races?Ìý
Every race is a workout. I focus on improvement, on reaching my goals. Coach prepares us to think of each new race as another step in our training — a part of what we’re already doing. It keeps it simple.Ìý
How does pacing yourself work?Ìý
Going into a race, we know who we’re trying to keep pace with. I like to start fast to be in a very good position, making sure I’m staying there and no one is going to push away. They push it, I’m still there. And the last kick is doing what it takes to hit my goals and support the team.
Do you have a favorite distance between cross-country and indoor and outdoor track?Ìý
The 3K in indoor and 5K in outdoor.Ìý
If you have time away from running, what are you doing?Ìý
I like watching movies and making sure I get all my assignments done before Friday, so I can focus on racing and my long runs. By Sunday afternoon, I’m getting all my stuff ready for the next week of school and running.Ìý
Photos courtesy CU Athletics