Hobbs Kessler Sets Insane Indoor National Mile Record

* Ann Arbor Skyline's Hobbs Kessler set an insane milestone on Sunday in Arkansas

Photo Credit: Hobbs Kessler/Instagram

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Remember the name Hobbs Kessler

The Ann Arbor Skyline senior and Northern Arizon University recruit accomplished an absolutely insane milestone on Sunday in the men's mile at the American Track League in Fayetteville, Arkansas, recording a new indoor national and senior class record in 3:57.66 to finish third in a men's professional field. 

That mark surpasses Drew Hunter's 2016 record of 3:57.81, which the then-high school senior from Loudoun Valley accomplished at the Millrose Games. 

And yet, in no uncertain terms, Kessler was a complete wildcard on Sunday.

While he was among a field that included professionals like Nick Willis and Takieddine Hedeilli, who won the field in 3:56.79, few truly knew what kind of fitness Kessler was sporting ahead of time. 

Kessler's most recent race came in November, when he finished second at the XC Town USA Meet of Champions in Indiana in 15:16.40. Weeks prior, he was second overall at the MHSAA LP Division I state cross country championships in 14:51.79 -- in a race that included two separate sections. 

Kessler's PR from the 2020 indoor season at 1,600m was 4:21.17. He had no raced faster than 4:24.98 outdoors, either


American Track League Results -- Flash Results

Pl		Athlete	Time			Sec (pl)				
1		Takieddine HEDEILLI
Algeria	3:56.79
1 (1)				 PB  
2		Nick WILLIS
New Zealand	3:56.82
1 (2)				 SB  
3		Hobbs KESSLER
USA	3:57.66
1 (3)				
4		Juan Diego CASTRO
Costa Rica	3:57.78
1 (4)				 PB  
5		James RANDON
USA	3:58.66
1 (5)				 SB  
6		Alex STITT
Australia	4:07.34
1 (6)



Photo Credit: Hobbs Kessler/Instagram



The 2019 MHSAA LP Division I 1,600m Finals