National Title Contenders - Episcopal Academy Boys 4x800m

The team, comprised of Aidan McHugh, Eli Engelman, Dakin Ebmeyer, and Michael Woolery, will compete in the 4x800m relay at the 2023 New Balance Nationals Indoor championship in Boston, Massachusetts, this weekend.

This very accomplished team will enter the national meet with the current US No.2 time of 7:45.78. The Episcopal squad ran this time in February to win the historical 115th Millrose Games. McHugh put the team in the lead from the gun, splitting 1:57.91. McHugh handed off to Engelman to clip off a 1:57.47 for the team. Ebmeyer ran an impressive 1:56.12 third leg, with Woolery sealing the deal in a blistering 1:54.27.

Episcopal Academy may have one of the most profound high school 800 groups in the country. They make a strong argument for this after they won the relay at the PTFCA State Championship without even running their usual team. With team ace Michael Woolery focusing on the open 800m, they replaced his leg with Dawson French. The race was a nail-biter that came down to a hundredth of a second at the line against Penncrest. Episcopal came out on top, winning the state title in 7:52.39. Notably, Woolery won the open 800m run at the PTFCA Indoor State Championship in 1:52.83.

For the Episcopal boys to come out on top, they will have to beat US No.1 Hinsdale (Central) and a lot of other elite squads that can't be underestimated. Hinsdale enters the meet with a season-best time of 7:45.73. This is just .05 seconds ahead of Episcopal Academy's season-best.

Episcopal Academy is a top-tier team more than capable of winning the relay title. As long as the first three legs keep in contact, a 100% Woolery is a safe bet on getting things done. With his US No.12 800m time, he's got the ability to be the lethal asset Episcopal needs to seal the deal.

The 4x800m relay is sure to be an exciting event at the 2023 New Balance Nationals Indoor championship.