Will Sumner
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| Nationality | American | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 22 October 2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event | 800m | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Personal best(s) | 800m: 1:44.26 (Austin, 2023) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Will Sumner (born 22 October 2003) is an American middle-distance runner who specializes in the 800 metres.[1] He competed for the Georgia Bulldogs before turning professional in 2023.
Career
[edit]In high school, Sumner ran the third fastest ever 800 meter time outdoors in 1:46.53, as well as the second fastest ever indoors in 1:48.14. Sumner won the 800m race at the NCAA Championships in June 2023, running a personal best time of 1:44.26. This was also the second fastest freshman collegiate time ever, the fifth fastest overall in NCAA history, the second-fastest in meet history, breaking the stadium record set in 2019 by Bryce Hoppel and placed him third fastest in the world in the year.[2][3] Competing at the 2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, in Eugene, Oregon, he reached the final of the 800m competition, where he finished fifth.[4] was a gold medalist at the 2023 U23 NACAC Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica, in the mixed 4x400m relay alongside Bailey Lear, Caleb Cavanaugh, and Kiah Williams.[5]
Personal life
[edit]Sumner attended Woodstock High School in Georgia. His parents were also an athletes with father Brad and mother Tosha both being NCAA champions, and multiple-time All-Americans. He has a sister called Brynne. He is a keen piano player.[6]
Sponsorship
[edit]In July 2023, Sumner announced that he was turning professional and had signed a sponsorship deal with Adidas.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Will Sumner". World Athletics. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- ^ "Men's 800: The future has arrived; Will Sumner negative splits a 1:44.26". Lets Run. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- ^ Battaglia, Joe (10 June 2023). "Georgia Freshman Will Sumner Blazes To 800m Title At NCAA Championships". Flotrack. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- ^ "Men's 800m Results: USATF Outdoor Championships 2023". Watch Athletics. July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ "CAVANAUGH'S DOUBLE, BRAHE-PEDERSEN'S RECORD, 5,000 AND SHOT PUT SWEEPS PART OF 11 U.S. GOLDS TO OPEN NACAC U23 CHAMPIONSHIPS". Runnerspace. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ Devine, Dave (March 2, 2022). "TEMPO MARKING: WILL SUMNER HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES". Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- ^ "Georgia Freshman Will Sumner Goes Pro". flotrack.org. July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.