* Hinsdale Central (IL) wins the 4x800 at the 2022 Nike Outdoor Nationals. The team defended their title on Friday with a new US No. 2 all-time mark in the event.
Photo Credit: USA TODAY Network
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Hinsdale Central nearly made history on Friday evening at Hayward Field.
In a loaded boys 4x800m championship field featuring some of the nation's top relay squads, the defending Nike Outdoor Nationals champions from Hinsdale Central not only grabbed a second-straight title, but nearly broke the U.S. high school national record in the process.
The team from Illinois crossed the finish line in 7:29.20, less than half a second off Long Beach Poly's (CA) all-time record of 7:28.75 set at New Balance Outdoor Nationals in 2011.
Consisting of Illinois 1,600m champion Aden Bandukwala, Michael Skora, Grant Miller and US No. 2 800m racer Dan Watcke, Hinsdale Central chased after history from the get go. But a superb 1:48 anchor from Watcke sealed the deal for Hinsdale Central as they captured another national title and a spot in the 4x800m record books.
They also join Long Beach Poly as one of only two teams to ever dip under 7:30 for the outdoor 4x800m.
But Hinsdale Central wasn't the only group of four to put down an effort worthy of a time in the record books. Vestavia Hills (AL), led by New Balance Nationals Indoor 800m runner-up Alex Leath, took second place in 7:30.68 for US No. 5 all-time.
7:29.20 for Hinsdale Central surpassed their winning mark from 2022 of 7:32.15, which also happened to be the Hayward Field record. They not only bested that mark this evening, but made even more history with their impressive effort.
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