Hoppel runs lifetime-best 1:42.77 to eclipse 1992 meet record and elevate to the No. 3 all-time American competitor; Kessler becomes first U.S. male athlete since 1976 to qualify for Olympics in both 800 and 1,500 in same year, with Miller also running sub-1:44 to earn trip to Paris

By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

Photos by Chuck Aragon

EUGENE, Ore. – Bryce Hoppel is a man of his word.

Following the first round of the men’s 800 meters Thursday, Hoppel called his own shot, saying he was going to run 1 minute, 42 seconds in the final.

“That’s how I feel where the fitness is right now,” Hoppel said Thursday. 

Fortunately, he can talk the talk and also walk the walk.

Hoppel not only managed to run a personal-best 1:42.77 to win the men’s 800 final Sunday at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field, but he also set a new meet record to back up his own statement, taking down Johnny Gray’s 1992 meet record of 1:42.80.

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“I did call the shot, and luckily we followed through,” Hoppel said laughing. 

Right by Hoppel’s side in second was his training partner, Hobbs Kessler, running along to another personal-best effort of 1:43.64 to secure a second event berth to the Olympics.

“It was pretty exciting,” Kessler said. “It’s weird, the 800 came so much easier than the 1,500, so it felt too good to be true. I think it’s pretty interesting we’re like the best 800 duo in the country now.”

Kessler’s double is historic given he’s the first American since Rick Wohlhuter in 1976 to qualify for the Olympics in both the 800 and 1,500. Dave Wottle also achieved the feat for the U.S. in 1972.

“I’m pretty proud,” Kessler said. “I really wanted to show my robustness as a runner, and I think that did it.”

Completing the podium was Brandon Miller, continuing his career-best weekend by securing the third and final spot onto the team in 1:43.97, just 0.73 seconds off his lifetime best effort from the semifinals Friday.

“1:43 to make the team is a testament to U.S. middle distance running right now and I’m excited to be a part of it,” Miller said. 

The U.S. is trying to keep up with the world’s best in the 800 in 2024. This year, the best reside in Kenya, with Emmanuel Wanyonyi (1:41.70), Wyclife Kinyamal (1:42.50) and Koitatoi Kidali (1:42.66) occupying the top three spots in the World Athletics rankings.

Hoppel is now a hair behind Kidali in fourth, with Kessler ranking eighth.

“That kind of stuff does not feel real,” Hoppel said. “I’m like curious where that falls on the all-time list. Finally, like, to get into 1:42, it’s something special. I feel like I haven’t peaked, so it’s just exciting. I’m excited to go and see what more I can do.”

Hoppel, who elevated to the No. 3 competitor in American history with the fifth-fastest all-time performance, made it honest from the start to go with his 1:42 statement, pulling the group through the first 400 meters in 51.20 seconds.

Kessler followed Hoppel’s lead, with Abraham Alvarado in third and Miller trailing in fourth before hitting the backstretch.

Through 500 meters, Miller surged ahead of Alvarado and flew right past Kessler to challenge Hoppel for the lead.

With Miller moving up, Hoppel took one look over his right shoulder and countered Miller’s move with a surge of his own with 200 meters to go.

When it appeared a photo finish might be in the making between Hoppel and Miller, Hoppel made one final surge on the home stretch that put him in the lead for good, giving him a second Olympic berth.

“We’ve been here before, we’ve made the Olympic team before, so I was just following a strict routine,” Hoppel said. “We were able to get it done. We were preparing all year and it’s really the culmination of all that training and hard work.”

Nothing stopped Hoppel when he crossed the finish line either. Like Forrest Gump, he just kept on running, high fiving the crowd while at it.

“I think that’s the most exciting part,” Hoppel said. “Not that I’m saying I didn’t leave everything out there.”

If that wasn’t all out, then what is?

Especially after making such a bold statement after the first round, what is the ceiling?

“Medals on the agenda,” Hoppel said. “I think that was a huge part of calling the 1:42. We needed that steppingstone.”