SOUTH BEND — Samuel Voelz is used to success.
The 2017 New Palestine graduate won a state title in 2017 for the Dragons in the 800-meter run. He was part of two runner-up relay teams that day. That success has translated over to college.
Now, he can add national champion to his list of accolades.
Friday night in Birmingham, Ala., Voelz and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish distance medley relay team entered as the top seed in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. They left the same way. The Irish claimed the fourth title in program history, as the relay team finished first, in 9:31.55.
“It was an extraordinary feeling,” Voelz said. “Going into the race we were the No. 1 seed, so the pressure was on to maintain that spot and get that victory.”
Freshman Dylan Jacobs started off the race for the Irish in the 1,200-meter leg and handed the baton to senior Edward Cheatham for the 400. Voelz was next, running the 800-meter leg of the race. He handed off to sophomore Yared Nuguse, who surged ahead near the end of the 1,600-meter stretch to secure the championship.
“This is a feeling I’ve never felt before,” Voelz said. “Going back to high school and before that, there was a lot of individual success, but there’s something about winning with those three guys, practicing day in and day out, that made it that much sweeter.
“I can’t stress enough that it was a lot more than just me that made that happen. There’s some really fast kids on the other legs.”
The Irish entered the race as the top-seed, leading the nation this season and holding the second-best time in the NCAA after racing to a 9:26.10 finish at the Alex Wilson Invitational in February.
The win is Notre Dame’s second NCAA DMR title, with the previous win coming in 2012. The Irish also hold NCAA titles in the 600-yard run and the 55-meter hurdles.
“It’s really special to know that I did it, not only for Notre Dame, but also for New Pal,” Voelz said. “Keeping a strong connection with the community of New Pal is really important to me.”