Horowitz and Hubbard Break 4:00 at Terrier!

For two Massachusetts HS alums, yesterday's renown BU Terrier Invitational was one they'll remember for the rest of their lives.

In less than ten minutes, we saw Joel Hubbard of Syracuse (Marshfield HS) and former Bowdoin College star Coby Horowitz (Nashoba HS) both became members of the exclusive club of sub-four-minute milers. In the seeded heat, Hubbard joined his two other Syracuse teammates (Knight and Palamar) and a stacked field in a crack at the elusive barrier. Joel remained patient in the back end of the field, coming through the first quarter in 59 and just under 2:00 at the half. Keeping close tabs on his teammate, Adam Palamar, for a majority of the race, Hubbard came into the bell lap right at 3:30. At this point a big final kick would be needed to get the time, and Hubbard delivered, coming home to finish 6th in a fantastic time of 3:59.84. Though his teammates had broken four minutes previously in their careers, this didn't spoil the significance of Hubbard's special day back in his home state. 

"It was an awesome feeling being able to break 4 minutes in Boston rather than at Penn State or one of the other big meets this weekend. Although Justyn and Adam had both run under 4 minutes before, it was so cool having all three of us run under 3:59 all in the same heat! After just missing sub 4 last year, it was that much more rewarding this time around." - Joel Hubbard of Syracuse (Marshfield '12)

While Hubbard and the rest of the fast section was on track, Coby Horowitz was quietly waiting on the outside for his turn. Horowitz was hoping to be part of the action in the top heat, but was unfortunately bumped out during the seeding process and was the number one seed in the second fastest heat. Despite this little hiccup, Horowitz was not deterred from the task at hand.

Beginning his quest for sub-4:00 almost two years prior in March 2014 when he ran 4:00.41 (an NCAA DIII Record) at BU, Horowitz has had numerous other close calls with sub-4:00 since then. Just last week at the GBTC Invite, the former Bowdoin star came up short once again--barely--when he solo-ed a 4:01.9. Though with a packed house, Horowitz wasn't going to be stopped on Saturday--no matter what heat he was racing. 

"It was pretty special to be able to win the heat as opposed to getting dragged along and finishing 7th in the fast heat. I must have had 20 or so friends and family spectating as well which made it all the more meaningful as they've had to suffer through multiple 4:00-4:02 performances with me!" 
-Coby Horowitz (Nashoba HS '10) 

Massachusetts All-Time Sub 4:00 List

Andy Downin 3:56.25 Duxbury HS (2001)