2018 Indiana Cross Country State Champion Cole Hocker is quickly emerging as one of the nation's great collegiate runners. Now a sophomore at Oregon, Hocker has had an incredible start to 2021. Hocker ran the lead leg for a record breaking Distance Medley Relay earlier this season, and set the second fastest collegiate time in the mile last weekend.
Hocker finished on the shoulder of teammate Cooper Teare as the two smashed the previous mile record of 3:52.01. Teare finished in 3:50.39, with Hocker coming in at 3:50.55. Hocker's time is the fastest any Indiana native has ever run the mile.
The only entrants for the mile in the Tyson Invitational at Arkansas were from Oregon as they attempted to set qualifying times for the Olympic Trials. Hocker, Teare, and Charlie Hunter all beat the qualifying mark.
At the same venue just a couple weeks prior, Hocker ran an incredible 1200 meter leg as Oregon set the DMR record in their first race since March of 2020.
"I don't think I've ever witnessed a collegiate DMR with a 2:49 leadoff leg. For Cole Hocker to lay that down, it's a whole 'nother jump in performance, in terms of his middle-distance ability." said Associate Head Coach Ben Thomas.
Teare ran the final leg of the DMR for Oregon as the Ducks finished in 9:19.42. The previous record of 9:24.52 was set by Oregon last winter.
While at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Hocker won state championships in cross country, the 1600 meter run and the 800 meter run.
In two events this indoor season, Hocker has proved himself as one of the nation's top athletes. Still just a nineteen years old, Hocker has the potential to be an elite runner for years to come.