TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Arguably the most accomplished distance runner in NCAA history cleared security at Portland International Airport without being recognized Wednesday, and a woman just behind Edward Cheserek in line fell into a fit of laughter.
"Mr. Cheserek, have a nice day," a security guard said, handing Edward Cheserek his ID and his boarding pass for a trip to Indiana, where the NCAA cross country championships will be contested Saturday.
The woman further back in line knew what the security guard didn't. The slight, unassuming young man in the puffy black jacket was on his way to take a shot at his 16th career individual national championship — which would be an NCAA record for a distance runner.