NEW YORK – Drew Hunter, the 18-year-old high school senior running sensation from Loudoun Valley High School (Va.) broke Alan Webb’s 15-year-old high school indoor mile record with a blistering 3:58.25 time during Saturday’s Armory Track Invitational at The Armory.
Hunter, who is bound for the University of Oregon, competed in the men’s mile won by 2012 NCAA champion Chris O’Hare (3:54.59).
Both Webb and now Hunter claimed their prominent sub-4 feats at The Armory, recognized as the world’s fastest indoor track. It’s the home of the country’s only two sub-4 minute high school miles. In January of 2001, Webb became the first American high school student in indoor history
In January of 2001, Webb became the first American high school student in indoor history to turn in a sub-4 minute mile with a 3:59.86 at the New Balance Games at The Armory.
Afterward, the former record holder had only kind things to say about the new high school indoor mile record holder from Purcellville, Virginia.
“It’s a testament to Drew’s maturity and the way he’s been brought up,” Webb said during a telephone interview. “In a family where the measure of you isn’t the results of what you run but it’s based on how you conduct yourself.
“I’m proud of him for doing it the right way. There’s a certain purity to running at the high school level. It sparks the imagination and makes you think what could be and what’s possible.
“In a family where the measure of you isn’t the results of what you run but it’s based on how you conduct yourself. I’m proud of him for doing it the right way. There’s a certain purity to running at the high school level. It sparks the imagination and makes you think what could be and what’s possible.
“This is the beginning of the story for Drew. We’re going to witness him develop into being one of the next big stars.”
Hunter crossed the finish line with his arms raised, but had to wait a few seconds before confirmation on the scoreboard. He went into a “record setting” lap, exchanging high-fives with fans, taking photos while Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” echoed throughout the New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory.
“Being in such a historic building where everyone appreciates running,” Hunter said, “is amazing. If there is one place to break an indoor sub-4 it is here at The Armory knowing all the amazing races that have been run here.”
In two weeks both Hunter and O’Hare return to The Armory for the 109th NYRR Millrose Games where they’ll compete in the mile again.
To purchase tickets for the 109th NYRR Millrose Games please go to https://tickets.nyrrmillrosegames.org/Tickets.
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