National champions in the making? That is an attainable
endeavor for the Episcopal Academy boys 4x800m relay team.
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.
Episcopal Academy 4x800m Relay - PTFCA Indoor State Championship
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.
National champions in the making? That is an attainable
endeavor for the Episcopal Academy boys 4x800m relay team.