Colorado University Athletics
Givens Continues Upward Trajectory as Record Setting Career Takes Shape
January 22, 2026 | Cross Country, Track and Field
BOULDER | Progress rarely happens all at once and for Isaiah Givens, each step has built toward something larger.
From breaking the school record as a freshman to earning NCAA All-American honors on the national stage, Givens' journey has been defined by patience consistency and belief in long-term development.
The turning point came early.
"Probably when I broke the school record my freshman year," Givens said. "That was kind of the start of really coming into my potential as a runner. It taught me a lot about who I could be."
Givens first broke the four-minute barrier at the 2023 Ken Shannon Invitational, running 3:55.99 to set a new CU mile record. The mark surpassed the previous record set at the same meet one year earlier and signaled the beginning of his rise with the Buffaloes program.
Two years later, on the sports' biggest indoor stage he raised that standard again.
At the 2025 NCAA Division I Indoor Championships in Norfolk, Virginia, Givens ran 3:54.84 in the mile final, placing fifth overall and earning All-American honors while breaking his own school record. The performance marked his sixth career sub four-minute mile and capped a stretch of steady progress.
"It's been an inconsistent couple of months," Givens said. "This felt really good. It felt like a breakthrough and a chance to start building momentum again."
Momentum followed quickly.
In his most recent outing at the Potts Invitational, Given clocked 3:57.52 in the mile. The performance converted to a 3:51.73, which currently leads both the Big 12 and the NCAA.
Versatility has played a central role in his development. Givens has balanced cross country with middle distance racing on the track, competing in the mile and 1500 meters while remaining a key contributor for the Buffaloes during the fall.
"I think they complement each other really well," Givens said. "Cross country is so difficult mentally that it prepares you for whatever races can throw at you."
That mental toughness was tested during the 2025 cross country season, which included multiple personal bests and another NCAA Championships appearance.
"One of the biggest things I learned is that no matter how perfect your training is, things can still go wrong," Givens said. "You have to be ready for anything, especially in cross country."
Since his sophomore year, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Sean Carlson has guided that long term approach.
"We focus on feeling good every day," Givens said. "We do not push training the way we push races, and that makes it more sustainable. It allows us to focus on long term success."
Born in Spain, raised in Pasadena and now training in Boulder, Givens has experienced a wide range of environments. Training at altitude has only deepened his appreciation for Colorado.
"Training here is hard to beat," he said. "It makes me really grateful that I get to live here, go to school here and run with this team in such a beautiful place."
Off the track, Givens balances competition with academics as an environmental science major.
"Making sure school is a priority and getting it done first allows me to take my training to the fullest," he said.
Outside of running, he enjoys snowboarding and mountain biking, hobbies that provide balance even if opportunities are limited during the season.
"It's good to have days where you let go a little bit and do things you enjoy," Givens said. "That contributes back to long term success."
With multiple NCAA appearances behind him, his mindset has evolved.
"Earlier, I expected myself to always be there," Givens said. "Now I am more grateful for the opportunity and understand how difficult it is to qualify. That perspective helps me compete at my best."
Looking ahead, Givens' goals remain clear.
"I want to qualify for more NCAA championships, earn more All-American honors and win an NCAA title," he said. "It has been a long time since Colorado has won an individual championship and bringing that back would mean a lot."
For Givens, the culture at Colorado continues to fuel that pursuit.
"We enjoy training together," he said. "Even the hard parts, we do them together, and that makes it special."
As his career continues to build, each step reflects the same steady approach that started with a breakthrough as a freshman and continues to define his rise on the national stage.
The Buffaloes will be back in action this weekend hosting the Colorado Invite, Jan. 23-24 in the Ford Practice Facility.
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From breaking the school record as a freshman to earning NCAA All-American honors on the national stage, Givens' journey has been defined by patience consistency and belief in long-term development.
The turning point came early.
"Probably when I broke the school record my freshman year," Givens said. "That was kind of the start of really coming into my potential as a runner. It taught me a lot about who I could be."
Givens first broke the four-minute barrier at the 2023 Ken Shannon Invitational, running 3:55.99 to set a new CU mile record. The mark surpassed the previous record set at the same meet one year earlier and signaled the beginning of his rise with the Buffaloes program.
Two years later, on the sports' biggest indoor stage he raised that standard again.
At the 2025 NCAA Division I Indoor Championships in Norfolk, Virginia, Givens ran 3:54.84 in the mile final, placing fifth overall and earning All-American honors while breaking his own school record. The performance marked his sixth career sub four-minute mile and capped a stretch of steady progress.
"It's been an inconsistent couple of months," Givens said. "This felt really good. It felt like a breakthrough and a chance to start building momentum again."
Momentum followed quickly.
In his most recent outing at the Potts Invitational, Given clocked 3:57.52 in the mile. The performance converted to a 3:51.73, which currently leads both the Big 12 and the NCAA.
Versatility has played a central role in his development. Givens has balanced cross country with middle distance racing on the track, competing in the mile and 1500 meters while remaining a key contributor for the Buffaloes during the fall.
"I think they complement each other really well," Givens said. "Cross country is so difficult mentally that it prepares you for whatever races can throw at you."
That mental toughness was tested during the 2025 cross country season, which included multiple personal bests and another NCAA Championships appearance.
"One of the biggest things I learned is that no matter how perfect your training is, things can still go wrong," Givens said. "You have to be ready for anything, especially in cross country."
Since his sophomore year, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Sean Carlson has guided that long term approach.
"We focus on feeling good every day," Givens said. "We do not push training the way we push races, and that makes it more sustainable. It allows us to focus on long term success."
Born in Spain, raised in Pasadena and now training in Boulder, Givens has experienced a wide range of environments. Training at altitude has only deepened his appreciation for Colorado.
"Training here is hard to beat," he said. "It makes me really grateful that I get to live here, go to school here and run with this team in such a beautiful place."
Off the track, Givens balances competition with academics as an environmental science major.
"Making sure school is a priority and getting it done first allows me to take my training to the fullest," he said.
Outside of running, he enjoys snowboarding and mountain biking, hobbies that provide balance even if opportunities are limited during the season.
"It's good to have days where you let go a little bit and do things you enjoy," Givens said. "That contributes back to long term success."
With multiple NCAA appearances behind him, his mindset has evolved.
"Earlier, I expected myself to always be there," Givens said. "Now I am more grateful for the opportunity and understand how difficult it is to qualify. That perspective helps me compete at my best."
Looking ahead, Givens' goals remain clear.
"I want to qualify for more NCAA championships, earn more All-American honors and win an NCAA title," he said. "It has been a long time since Colorado has won an individual championship and bringing that back would mean a lot."
For Givens, the culture at Colorado continues to fuel that pursuit.
"We enjoy training together," he said. "Even the hard parts, we do them together, and that makes it special."
As his career continues to build, each step reflects the same steady approach that started with a breakthrough as a freshman and continues to define his rise on the national stage.
The Buffaloes will be back in action this weekend hosting the Colorado Invite, Jan. 23-24 in the Ford Practice Facility.
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