STATEN ISLAND, New York, February 22–23 — A statement win in American Record time in the 800 for Josh Hoey and an impressive 1500/3000 double for Hobbs Kessler highlighted the USATF Indoor Championships at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex. The event served as Team USA’s selection meet for the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China.
Hoey came into the meet as the revelation of the indoor season, having set an AR in the 1000, winning the 1500 at the New Balance Indoor GP and then adding another AR in the 800 with a dominant victory at Millrose. The confidence from those runs fueled his aggressive run at nationals, as he took the lead early and set the pace through the 200 (24.73) and 400 (50.36). By 600 (1:16.70) only Brandon Miller could keep up with the hot tempo. But an explosive final 100 opened up a decisive gap as Hoey crossed the line in 1:43.24 off a final 200 in 26.54.
Not only did that smash the 1:43.90 AR he ran at Millrose, but it moved the Pennsylvania native to No. 2 on the all-time world list. “I was feeling good today and that kinda just put me in the front. I was like I might as well take it,” said Hoey, who finished 4th at the Olympic Trials last summer. “I prefer not to run at the front, but I also take a lot of inspiration from guys like Jakob [Ingebrigtsen], where if you wanna run fast you gotta do it by yourself. I think that come outdoors I’m hoping to get into meets where I won’t be the favorite, I’ll really have to demonstrate some discipline.”
Behind him, Miller (1:44.26) moved up to No. 4 on the U.S. all-time list, while former NCAA Division II champion Wes Ferguson (1:44.92) is now No. 6.
Kessler’s quest for the distance double began on Saturday with the 3000. Steeplechaser Matthew Wilkinson set an honest pace through 1000 (2:35.56) and 2000 (5:10.72). Dylan Jacobs moved into the lead with two laps to go, with Kessler right on his heels. Jacobs, who won NCAA titles for both Tennessee and Notre Dame, held his position at the bell, and desperately tried to hold off the Olympic 1500 finalist down the stretch. At the tape, both dipped like sprinters, with Kessler scoring his first national title in 7:38.00, barely ahead of Jacobs (7:38.02).
“That’s kind of like the rule of indoor track, 90 percent of the time whoever is leading at the bell wins the race,” Kessler said of his attempt to pass Jacobs before the final lap. “I burned a really big match trying to get that. But he was really savvy and knew what was coming. So I was like, just try to recompose and really give it a good effort, really spin the legs the last 40.”
Less than 24 hours later, Kessler was back on the oval for the 1500, his specialty. He moved to the lead at the end of the first lap and set a cautious pace, hitting 400 in 59.11 and 800 in 2:01.34. Sam Prakel (who won the 1500/3000 double in ’23) began to apply pressure, which forced Kessler to steadily pick up speed.
A final lap in 26.26 was enough to give Kessler the win in 3:38.82 over Prakel (3:39.14).
“I think I made a mistake yesterday leaving it so late,” Kessler said of his last-minute decision to run from the front on Sunday. “I just felt more comfortable in the lead. I just wanted to go fast enough to not get clipped and not give people enough juice to really go hard. Just enough to sap them, so they can’t move too quick on me. I didn’t want to go too hard and leave myself with nothing.”
Kessler said he will skip World Indoors in late March to concentrate on his build-up for the outdoor season.
Grant Holloway extended his 11-year winning streak in the indoor hurdles with a 7.36, equaling his own world lead in the 60H. “This season hasn’t been the best in my standards,” said the Olympic champion, who is hoping to clean up some of his technical issues ahead of the trip to Nanjing for Worlds. “Punched another ticket. Eighth world championship team. Getting ready to try to make history and something that nobody’s ever seen before: three [world golds] indoors, three [world golds] outdoors.”
Cameron Murray (7.41) and USC’s Johnny Brackins (7.43) followed in personal best times.
In the 400, high school star Quincy Wilson earned some of the loudest cheers of the weekend, but it was Chris Bailey who took the win, despite being only 3rd at the break. “Once we got around the third turn there was some bumping and shoving, but that’s indoors,” said Bailey, who finished 6th in Paris last summer. “I was able to navigate the traffic pretty well and assert my dominance at the 300 and finish strong.”
He clocked in at 45.21 over Jacory Patterson (45.60). The 17-year-old Wilson (46.13) had trouble navigating through all the traffic of his elders and wound up 5th.
The 60 was lacking star power with the absence of defending champion Noah Lyles and reigning world indoor champ Christian Coleman, as well as the late scratch by Trayvon Bromell. Penn State frosh Ajani Dwyer led the qualifying round at 6.54, but Ronnie Baker prevailed in the final in 6.52, well clear of Coby Hilton and Emmanuel Wells, both timed in 6.58.
Daniel Haugh won his third straight 35-pound weight title (and fourth overall) with a heave of 82-4¾ (25.11).
The shot put saw a dramatic finish when Tripp Piperi launched the ball out to 70-6½ (21.50) in round 6 to pass Roger Steen, who had taken over in the fourth round with his 69-9¾ (21.28).
James Carter also came through on his final attempt, winning the triple jump at 55-4¾ (16.88) ahead of Russell Robinson, who led from the opening frame with his 54-8¼ (16.67).
Chris Nilsen had the pole vault locked up at 18-8¼ (5.70), ahead of Jacob Wooten on the countback. Both passed to 19-¼ (5.80) but were unable to clear that height. Two-time Olympic medalist Sam Kendricks could only manage 18-4½ (5.60) and finished 4th.
Vernon Turner took the high jump at 7-4½ (2.25) and Wil Williams won the long jump at 26-9¼ (8.16). Kyle Garland overcame what he called “bumps and bruises” to top the heptathlon standings with 6139 points.
USATF INDOOR MEN’S RESULTS
(first 2 make World Indoor team if qualified) (2/22—3000, 60H, 3000W, PV, TJ, Wt)
60 Meters
1. Ronnie Baker (adidas) 6.52; 2. Coby Hilton (TS) 6.58; 3. Emmanuel Wells (unat) 6.58; 4. Marcellus Moore (unat) 6.59; 5. Malachi Adams (unat) 6.60 =PR; 6. Ajani Dwyer (PennSt) 6.61; 7. Deron Dudley (Tn) 6.62 =PR; 8. Quentin Woodall (unat) 6.68.
400 Meters
1. Chris Bailey (TS) 45.21; 2. Jacory Patterson (CiqueE) 45.60; 3. Elija Godwin (adidas) 46.09; 4. Brian Faust (GSTC) 46.11; 5. Quincy Wilson (MdHS) 46.13; 6. Vernon Norwood (NBal) 46.41.
800 Meters
1. Josh Hoey (adidas) 1:43.24 AR (old AR 1:43.90 Hoey ’25) (WL, AL) (2, 2 W) (24.73, 25.63 [50.36], 26.35 [1:16.70], 26.54) (50.36/52.89);
2. Brandon Miller (BrkB) 1:44.26 PR (9, x W; 4, 6 A); 3. Wes Ferguson (unat) 1:44.92 PR (6, =10 A);
4. Isaiah Harris (BrkB) 1:45.64 =PR; 5. Jonah Koech (UArm) 1:45.82; 6. Shane Cohen (Nike) 1:46.73.
1500 Meters
1. Hobbs Kessler (adidas) 3:38.82; 2. Sam Prakel (adidas) 3:39.14; 3. Luke Houser (AtlTC) 3:39.27; 4. Vincent Ciattei (UArm) 3:39.62; 5. Benjamin Allen (EmpE) 3:40.20; 6. Henry Wynne (BrkB) 3:41.25; 7. Aidan Ryan (AtlTC) 3:41.26; 8. Derek Johnson (NBal) 3:42.52.
3000 Meters
1. Kessler 7:38.00; 2. Dylan Jacobs (OAC) 7:38.02; 3. Sam Gilman (NBal) 7:38.64; 4. Matthew Wilkinson (UArm) 7:40.26; 5. Anthony Camerieri (Sauc) 7:40.31; 6. Damien Dilcher (UArm) 7:40.47 PR; 7. Morgan Beadlescomb (adidas) 7:40.52; 8. Yasin Sado (Asics)7:41.97 PR.
60 Hurdles
1. Grant Holloway (adidas) 7.36 (=WL, AL);
2. Cameron Murray (D4) 7.41 PR; 3. Johnny Brackins (USC) 7.43 PR; 4. Cordell Tinch (Nike) 7.48; 5. De’Vion Wilson (unat) 7.53 = PR; 6. Dylan Beard (D4) 7.54; 7. Louis Rollins (TSPhxTC) 7.60; 8. Connor Schulman (unat) 7.76.
3000 Walk:
1. Emmanuel Corvera (NYAC) 11:57.89; 2. Jordan Crawford (RalW) 12:00.92 PR; 3. Jason Cherng (NEW) 12:19.50 PR; 4. Bricyn Healey (RalW) 12:36.61 PR; 5. Ryan Allen (Shore) 12:58.37 PR; 6. Clayton Stoil (unat) 13:16.81.
High Jump
1. Vernon Turner (adidas) 7-4½ (2.25); 2. Elijah Kosiba (GVal) 7-3¼ (2.22); 3. Earnest Sears (unat) 7-1½ (2.17); 4. tie, Dontavious Hill (unat) & Corvell Todd (unat) 7-1½; 6. Charles McBride (NCSt) 6-11½ (2.12); 7. Jonathan Rankins James (GVal) 6-11½.
Pole Vault
1. Chris Nilsen (Nike) 18-8¼ (5.70); 2. Jacob Wooten (unat) 18-8¼; 3. Austin Miller (unat) 18-8¼; 4. Sam Kendricks (Nike) 18-4½ (5.60); 5. Keaton Daniel (Nike) 18-4½; 6. Nate Richartz (TS) 18-4½; 7. Cole Walsh (unat) 18-½ (5.50); 8. tie, Tray Oates (unat) & Hunter Garretson (Akr) 17-8½ (5.40).
Long Jump
1. Will Williams (WinSp) 26-9¼ (8.16); 2. Cameron Crump (D4) 26-4½ (8.04); 3. Marquis Dendy (Puma) 26-3½ (8.01); 4. Jeremiah Davis (Puma) 26-3½; 5. Joshua Rivers (WiO) 26-1½ (7.96); 6. Isaac Grimes (unat) 25-7½ (7.81); 7. Trumaine Jefferson (unat) 25-3½ (7.71); 8. Gregory Foster (Prin) 24-10½ (7.58).
Triple Jump
1. James Carter (unat) 55-4¾ (16.88) PR; 2. Russell Robinson (unat) 54-8¼ (16.67); 3. Donald Scott (NYAC) 54-6½ (16.62); 4. Will Claye (NYAC) 54-3¼ (16.54); 5. Sean Dixon-Bodie (unat) 54-0 (16.46); 6. Brandon Green (Ok) 53-¾ (16.17); 7. Salif Mane (NYAC) 52-7¼ (16.03); 8. Chauncey Chambers (unat) 52-3¾ (15.94).
Shot
1. Tripp Piperi (unat) 70-6½ (21.50); 2. Roger Steen (Vel) 69-9¾ (21.28); 3. Josh Awotunde (Shore) 69-¾ (21.05); 4. Jordan Geist (Iron) 67-4¾ (20.54); 5. Daniel McArthur (unat) 66-5 (20.24); 6. Jordan West (unat) 64-1 (19.53); 7. Isaiah Schafer (unat) 63-7 (19.38); 8. Myles Kerner (GVal) 62-8¾ (19.12).
Weight
1. Daniel Haugh (NYAC) 82-4¾ (25.11) (WL, AL); 2. Tanner Berg (unat) 81-10¾ (24.96) PR (8, x A);
3. Alex Young (unat) 81-5¼ (24.82); 4. Isaiah Rogers (T1D) 75-2¾ (22.93); 5. Rudy Winkler (NYAC) 75-1¾ (22.90); 6. Alex Kristeller (unat) 71-11¾ (21.94); 7. Tyler Williams (TSGarS) 71-4¾ (21.76); 8. Grayson Fleming (SupT) 71-4 (21.74) PR.
Heptathlon
1. Kyle Garland (Nike) 6139 (AL) (6.92, 25-1¾/7.66, 52-5½/15.99, 6-9¾/2.08, 8.06, 15-3/4.65, 2:51.16);
2. Hakim McMorris (unat) 6011 PR; 3. Aiden Ouimet (unat) 6006; 4. Austin West (unat) 5854; 5. Denim Rogers (unat) 5824; 6. Peyton Haack (unat) 5775; 7. Jacob Wadsworth (unat) 5451; 8. Devon Williams (unat) 5069.