After brother's transfer to Oregon, Josh Hoey picks Ducks

By Brian Towey for DyeStat

Bishop Shanahan (Dowingtown, Pa.) senior Josh Hoey's college recruitment was different than most.

(Photos of Josh Hoey, above, by Joseph Rogan)

Coming from a family of runners -- his mother ran at Penn State while his father ran for La Salle University -- and with an accomplished older brother, Jaxson, running as a freshman last year at Penn State, Josh Hoey, a 1:49/4:08 talent on the track, had a difficult decision to make.

When Jaxson withdrew from classes at Penn State over the summer, the brothers began visiting schools together.

On Monday night, Josh Hoey decided on Oregon. Jaxson enrolled at Oregon last Tuesday.

"I was a big fan of the facilities, but the main draw has always been Coach (Andy) Powell," Josh Hoey said. "I've kind of been an Oregon fan since I was a kid because I had family in Eugene. It's kind of always been a dream to go to Oregon."

Josh also visited Arkansas, Ole Miss and Virginia Tech. He broke through as a sophomore, running 4:11 to place fifth in the mile at the Millrose Games. Jaxson and Josh went 1-2 in the mile at the Pennsylvania indoor championship that February running for Downingtown West.

"Jaxson has been a tremendous mentor to me in terms of running, but also spirituality," Josh Hoey said.

 After Jaxson started at Penn State in the fall of 2016, Josh transferred to Bishop Shanahan and continued to climb. As a junior he won the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix title in the mile in 4:09.30 and then finished fourth at New Balance Nationals Indoor in 4:08.59. He added 800-meter state titles indoors and outdoors, then dropped his personal best to 1:49.37 at the USATF Junior Championships in June.

"I happen to believe he's one of the most complete middle-distance talents to come out of the state of Pennsylvania in a very long time," Bishop Shanahan cross country and track coach Pete Uhlman said. "He has great leg speed and is extremely versatile on the track."

Jaxson Hoey was a 1:51.58 prep runner who placed fifth in New Balance Nationals Outdoor in the mile in 2015 (4:12.63) 

A third brother, Jonah, is a sophomore at Bishop Shanahan. 

Following a fourth-place finish Sept. 23 at the Paul Short Run in Bethlehem, Pa., Josh Hoey sees other, cross country-related goals within his reach before college.

"After a difficult cross country season (last year) and my third high school in three years, I wanted to give my all this cross country season because it's my last one," Hoey said. "Our team goals are to make it to to the state meet and do well there. Me, personally , I'm shooting for Foot Locker regionals. Hopefully I'll make nationals and do well there."