Josh Hoey Drops 1:48.72 800 Meters At Mt. SAC


Josh Hoey's outdoor season started with a US No. 1 time in the 800 meters.

Competing in the Invitational Elite 800 meters at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, California, the Bishop Shanahan athlete ran 1:48.72 to finish 10th overall. That time is the fastest time in the nation so far this season by a high schooler and the second-fastest time in Pennsylvania state history. Only John Lewis of Cheltenham has run faster (1:48.33 in 2015). 

Hoey went through the first 400 meters in 53.22 seconds before running 55.48 in his final lap. He finished fourth in the first of two sections. The second heat included notable pros Clayton Murphy (second in 1:47.22) and Eric Sowinski (fourth in 1:47.71). Jesus Tonatiu Lopez (Mexico-FMAA) won the race in 1:47.07. Former Upper Dublin standout Sam Ellison was seventh in 1:47.90.

Hoey shattered the indoor national record in the 800m this winter when he ran 1:47.67 at the Boston University Last Chance meet. The outdoor 800m national record stands at 1:46.45 by Michael Granville in 1996. Hoey has a few months left in his final high school season to chase that down.