VIDEO: Justyn Knight’s bid for NCAA gold comes down to the wire

Justyn Knight was unable put a dent in Edward “King Ches” Cheserek’s armour.

The Syracuse University student finished second in the men’s 3,000m at the NCAA Division One Indoor Track and Field Championships. The result was the best by a Canadian at the 2017 championships, which features athletes from American-based universities.

RELATED: Justyn Knight on hectic flight to nationals: “I’ve never been so scared.”

Knight, 20, was in the mix with 200m to go but was unable to match the kick of Cheserek, who won his 17th career NCAA title by virtue of his 3K victory. Based on number of championship wins, he’s the most successful NCAA runner of all time. For Knight, it’s his second runner-up finish in as many NCAA Championships dating back to this past fall’s cross-country national championships.

“Even though I lost, you got to understand that he’s not a bad guy to lose to,” Knight said after the race speaking with LetsRun.com. He cited sitting too far back in the pack early in the race as one of his “minor mistakes” during the 3,000m.

Cheserek, who attends the University of Oregon, ran 7:55.91 to Knight’s 7:56.21.

Took 2nd at the NCAA Indoor Championship. Time to get ready for outdoors ??? ?:@ARunnersEye pic.twitter.com/5daDZn8p87

— Justyn Knight (@justyn_knight) March 12, 2017

Another one. @KingCheserek caps off his indoor career with another NCAA individual title in the 3000m. #NCAATF pic.twitter.com/RcP3tlzlbB

— A Runner's Eye (@ARunnersEye) March 12, 2017

The championships were held at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. Meanwhile, the Canadian university championships also took place, in Edmonton, Thursday through Saturday.

Men’s 3,000m

Nina Schultz, who set a Canadian U20 record in the pentathlon, and Sage Watson, who set a school record in the 400m for Arizona, also reached the podium at the NCAA Championships finishing third. See a breakdown of results below.

#NCAATF 400m: Sage Watson (@SageWats) runs a personal best of 51.84 to win her section & take ? 3rd place overall. pic.twitter.com/4H9ajemdT1

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) March 11, 2017

Canadian results

Men

800m: Robert Heppenstall – 5th (1:47.98)
Mile: Adam Palamar – 5th (4:06.47)
3000m: Justyn Knight – 2nd (7:56.21)
5000m: Rory Linkletter – 11th (13:57.62)

#NCAATF 800m: At the back with a lap to go, Robert Heppenstall (@roberthepp) with a strong close & lean to get 5th place #ACNextGen pic.twitter.com/7SKvEYuKGK

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) March 11, 2017

Women

400m: Sage Watson – 3rd (51.84); Micha Powell – 9th (52.78)
Mile: Nicole Hutchinson – 14th (4:43.07)
4x400m Relay: Aiyanna Stiverne, Miami – 7th (3:31.85); Taylor Sharpe, Florida – 8th (3:31.94)
Distance Medley Relay: Jaimie Phelan, Michigan – 5th (11:04.74); Nicole Hutchinson, Villanova – 12th (11:13.59)
Pentathlon: Nina Schultz – 3rd (4,340 points); Georgia Ellenwood – 7th (4,162 points)