Hobbs Kessler advances to 1500M semis at U.S. Olympic Trials
Ann Arbor Skyline's track phenom Hobbs Kessler won his heat at the U.S. Olympic Trials, advancing to the semifinal being held tonight. Kessler has reportedly signed a pro contract with Adidas.
I watched this race last night. He got himself boxed in and almost didn't get out in time. He was lucky to get out. He learned a lesson that this isn't high school where you can wait until the final turn to make a move.
He's obviously got tremendous natural talent but the Olympics aren't solely about speed—it's also a test of stamina and basic racing smarts in multiple races over a short period of time. I'm skeptical he's sufficiently seasoned to pass the test at such a young age. 2024 and 2028 are probably better for him maturity-wise.
Hobbs ran is season and personal best in a meet that featured either pro or semi pro runners, all of which were older than he. Point is, Hobbs does has limited exposure in these types of meets but did perform very well in that high powered event that was stacked with talent.
I believe that Hobbs will do very well in the 1500M at the US Trials and could place in the Top 3 and go to Tokyo. He has tremendous closing speed (kick) that will enable him to advance. Even the seasoned pro runners get themselves boxed in some cases as it's a chess game. In the 1500M event, it's all about your position in pack with 400M to go. I am sure he'll avoid staying on the inside lane, should the pace be dragging as it was in his heat last night. His heat had the slowest winning time of the three heats which is why he's the 20th seed heading into the next round.
In Hobbs, I trust.
I checked the 2016 US Olympic trials, and the last qualifier for the 1500m was Ben Blankenship, who ran a 3:36:18. Matt Centrowitz had the best qualifying time of 3:34:09.
Hobb's PB he set in May of 3:34:36 would have earned him a spot on the 2016 team, but I have no idea whether the bar will be raised for the qualifiers this year.
The final at the Olympics was bizarre—Centrowitz won with 3:50:00, the slowest 1500 time since 1932. He was the first American to win the event since 1908, which is sort of amazing.
That race in Rio 2016 was wild. Total chess match.
Some of these 1500M races are plain ugly to watch. The pace is so slow the first 800M, something like 4 1/2 min then a faster next 400 then an all out 400M sprint to the finish. I am old school on this and favor an even paced fast tempo with whatever is left for a finishing kick.
That 3:50.00 time was equal to a 4:07 mile. I don't care to see a 50 second last 400M split in a 1500M race-IMO.
In Hobbs, I trust.
Welp. He finished eighth in the semi.
He wasn’t lucky; he was very intentional and aggressive in getting to the outside and kicking it home. Luck would have been people moving over for him.
Hobb’s training partner, Nick Willis (UM alum and 2x Olympic medalist in the 1500), historically finds himself getting boxed and lucky to advance to next round or place well in championship events (Olympics or World Champs), but could have maybe increased a medal spot or 2 with better positioning.
By turning pro, he forgoes his eligibility to run collegiate at Northern Az U (NAU). My own view is a one and one done deal would have been the best course of action. That way, he'd get a season of cross country, indoor and outdoor track under his belt. He also would get a shot at an All American title, but it won't happen.
Hobbs will still go to NAU (as reported) as a student but will likely retain Ron Warhurst as his primary coach and then have a plan to run in the higher talented track meets in after the Olympics, should he qualify in a few days.
Best of luck to the young man.
I had no idea Warhurst was his coach. Warhurst is in his late 70s. It's impressive that he is able to add to his already sterling coaching resume at that age.
Yes it is; Warhurst is young at heart. He has the energy and enthusiasm of someone much younger. I suspect he'll continue on for several more years.
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There was an interesting article on Kessler in the Wall Street Journal yesterday. It had a quote from Ron Warhurst: "Kessler's talent is probably the best I've ever coached. And I've coached nine Olympians, numerous NCAA champions". So, that speaks volumes on Kessler's ability, given Warhurst's immense coaching experience and knowledge.
Wow, i will have to read that. He has definitely seen a ton of talent. Kevin Sullivan, Alan Webb, Nick Willis.
I’ve never quite understood how those races (finals) end up being so slow. You have to think that at least one of the people in the race thinks that they can run the fastest time. Why slow it down and let the other 8-10 people have a chance.
In the women’s 1500 earlier this week, Perrier-St Pierre went out and set a trials record. No messing around. The 5000, as well. That makes sense to me.
BTW- was in Eugene earlier this week for those races. That stadium is fantastic!
It's not that easy to run three superfast 1500ms over several days, even for the fastest of the fast. For the top runners who already have an Olympic standard time, it can be just racing and moving on. They need to make sure they are top 3 in the Finals and everything else is secondary. Why risk exhausting yourself and having issues down the stretch or risk injury? The top runners who have Olympic qualifying times generally know they can outkick most of the field in the early rounds and even the semis. Advance to the next round and be ready to go all in for the finals so you make the team. Why waste energy and/or risk injury?
The runners who have gone out and set personal bests and such often do so because they do not have a time that meets the Olympic standard. That's a box you have to check. If you don't have a qualifying time, everything else is irrelevant. Other times, the runner just feels good and goes with it, hoping for a PB, meet record, American record or World Record.
The Finals are perhaps a different story. The field (especially the top half) is more evenly matched, so more strategies come into play to make sure you make the top 3. The strong kickers may still be happy with the slow pace- kick to win strategy while others may feel more confident trying to push the pace and break the field up. It's still about racing though. Other than breaking a record, there is no prize for running a fast time. The only prize is for finishing top 3 and making the team.
I definitely meant in the finals. No doubt getting through the rounds is all about strategy to be ready. And, I have heard (and practiced) that same reasoning that you stated, and common wisdom agrees with you. But every time I watch a favorite get out kicked in a slow time, I shake my head.
It is true to let 8-10 guys have a legit shot of winning a slow 1500M race that ends up in a fastest 400M dash. True, that it doesn't make sense. The rational is, if you can run the last 400M in 50 sec flat, then wait it out. The problem with that is those same 8-10 guys are capable of running that last 400M in 50-52 sec.
As the women comparison and big difference is they cannot have such big change in pace to blast that last lap. They can now run just about 59-61 for the last lap these days. The tactics the women use are more standard and dictate an honest effort for the entire race. At this time, the best 800M times for women is getting to 1:52 or about 56 sec per lap (that's only a 2 lap race). For only 400M, they are now able to run 48-49 sec (WR pace).
That was fun while it lasted.