Cole Hocker

Hocker grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, and attended Cathedral High School. In high school he was second in the 2017 IHSAA Cross Country State Finals & won in '18. He also won the 2018 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships and finished second at the 2018 Nike Cross Nationals.[5]

Hocker ran for the Oregon Ducks. At the 2021 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships, he won the mile in 3:53.71 and the 3000 metres in 7:46.15.[6] Earlier that year, he ran a personal best of 3:50.55 in the mile on February 12, 2021, finishing in a close second to teammate Cooper Teare at a meet at the Randal Tyson Track Center. The two set the 7th and 8th all-time fastest times for the indoor mile.

At the 2021 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, he won the 1500 metres in a time of 3:35.35, outkicking NCAA record holder Yared Nuguse. He also finished 4th in the 5000 metres in a time of 13:18.95.[7]

At the 2020 United States Olympic Trials, Hocker won the 1500 m final ahead of Matthew Centrowitz and Yared Nuguse. Hocker did not have the Olympic qualifying time, however he qualified for the games based on his world ranking position.[8]

At the 2020 Olympic Games, Hocker placed 6th in the 1500 metre event with a time of 3:31.40, setting a new personal best. His time was under the Olympic Record set 2 days prior in the semifinals by Abel Kipsang of Kenya. Hocker qualified for the semifinals by running 3:36.16 for 4th in his heat. Hocker then ran 3:33.87, his then personal best, for 2nd in his semifinal to qualify for the final.[9]

On September 13, 2021, Hocker announced his decision to turn professional, forgoing his further participation on the University of Oregon team.[10] Hocker became a Nike-sponsored athlete, and continues to be based in Oregon training under coach Ben Thomas.[11] Hocker made his professional debut at the 2022 Millrose Games, where he competed in the 3,000 meter race. He ran a personal record of 7:39.83, placing third behind Geordie Beamish and teammate Cooper Teare.[12] Two weeks later at Gately Park in Chicago, in a bid for the American indoor mile record of 3:49.98, Teare and Hocker ran personal bests of 3:50.17 and 3:50.35 to place first and second.[13]

At the 2022 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Spokane, Washington, Hocker doubled in the 1,500 meter and 3,000 meter events. He earned his second and third national titles, running a meet record time of 3:39.09 in the 1500m.[14] However, he opted out of the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, turning his focus instead to the outdoor championships in July. [15] An injury at the US National Track and Field championships in June 2022, prevented him from qualifying in the 1500M for the World Outdoor Championships.[16]