Team USA men’s middle distance appreciation thread

Here’s another fact I appreciate about Team USA: in the last decade, four different Americans have run under 1:43 in the 800: Duane Solomon, Nick Symmonds, Clayton Murphy, and Donavan Brazier. The only other country with more than one runner under 1:43 since 2012 is Kenya (with five). Very impressive, Team USA!

I also appreciate knowing that the USA is one of only three countries (along with Ethiopia and Kenya) in the entire world whose athletes have won a global championship gold medal in both the men’s 800 and 1500 in the last decade. Way to go, guys!

I appreciate that Alan Webb is still the 9th fastest man all-time in the mile, and it took 15 years for anyone to run faster than his 3:46.91.

I appreciate that Bryce Hoppel ran 1:43.23 at age 22. He has the potential to be yet another American under 1:43! Plus he finished fourth at the 2019 world outdoor championships, and he won a bronze medal earlier this year at the world indoor championships. Keep your head up, Bryce! You have much to be proud of already, and with continued effort and persistence you can achieve even more!

So why so abysmal at this championships on home soil? Seems strange that the USA had 4 men in the 800 and none made it past the heats.

The moment is right now and the athletes and their coaches need to reflect I would say.

Good thread. This board is incredibly pessimistic, but really, we are very fortunate to have had these athletes in the past few years. Looking forward, we have two unbelievably bright prospects in Hocker and Kessler. This is far from a dark age in US mid d running.

pretty good record by the Americans.

This is an appreciation thread. There are plenty of other threads for you to exchange critical thoughts about what happened this week.

Agreed! Plus Teare, Nuguse, and all the sub-4 high schoolers. And in the 800 we have Flatt and Sumner. Lots of rising talent to appreciate!

We've been strong in the recent past... but not this year

The understatement of the day. Embarrasing performance on home soil. I'm not sure I'd be willing to put on a USA uniform after this week!