Cruz Culpepper

CRUZ’S STORY
Cruz grew up in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, the son of Olympians Alan and Shayne Culpepper. The oldest of four Culpepper children, Cruz took to running in high school and quickly became one of the top milers in the U.S. As a senior, he ran 4:00.10 indoors–becoming the fourth-fastest U.S. HS’er ever indoors at that time. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented him from competing outdoors, but he was able to break four as a freshman in college one year later.

PRO STATS
Cruz joined HOKA NAZ Elite in January of 2023 and made his professional debut at the BU Terrier Classic where he finished fourth in the mile in a personal best of 3:57.19.

NCAA STATS
Cruz began his NCAA career at the University of Washington where he broke four minutes for the mile as a true freshman in the winter of 2021. He transferred to the University of Mississippi the following year where he finished third in the Mile at the SEC Indoor Championships, and competed on Ole Miss’ Distance Medley Relay team at the NCAA Championships. Competing unattached outdoors, he qualified for the USATF Championships in the 1,500 meters. In the fall of 2022 he decided to forego the remainder of his collegiate eligibility and turn professional.