Sumner Slices Two Seconds Off National Record With 1:15.58 In Chicago

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Photo by Phil Bond

Will Sumner of Woodstock GA has emerged as a very big deal in middle distance over the past few weeks and his performance Saturday at Gately Indoor in Chicago was his best yet.

One week after breaking the national high school record in the 500 meters at the Virginia Showcase, Sumner traveled to Chicago to take aim at the 600 record at the Misfits Invitational. 

Sumner's time of 1:15.58 not only was two seconds faster than Strymar Livingston's 2012 national record, it nearly boosted him into the top 10 performers in American history. Tenth on the all-time U.S. list is Boris Berian, who ran 1:15.51 in 2016. 

His time was actually closer to Donavan Brazier's American record (1:13.71) and world best than it was to Livingston's prep record of 1:17.58. 

If Sumner was in college, his time would rank seventh all-time at that level. 

Last week at Virginia Beach, Sumner ran 1:01.25 for 500 meters, a time nearly a half-second from Livingston's 10-year-old record of 1:01.68.