Stanford Signee Charles Hicks Reacts To Breaking 42-year-old Florida Record at Arcadia

By Todd Grasley for DyeStat

Bolles School senior and Stanford signee Charles Hicks added his name to the Florida record books after a massive personal best at the Arcadia Invitational. 

He finished fourth in the 3,200 meters in a time of 8 minutes, 49.62 seconds and was one of six runners in the field to break an all-time state best mark. Competing at this prestigious event for the second consecutive year was an important element for Hicks. He knew the start would be incredibly hectic and that he didn't want to get boxed in. 

“While it’s an amazing feeling to be surrounded by such high caliber athletes, if you aren’t ready to get out fast, you’re going to have some serious issues,” Hicks said. “Last year, I was pushed out to lane three and boxed in repeatedly, which obviously made my race far more difficult than necessary. This year, I was able to learn from my mistakes and waited for better opportunities to move up the pack rather than scrambling to get to the front as soon as possible.”

The race started out fast and aggressive and before he knew it, Hicks was being shoved into lane one. Even though he was prepared for that from his 2018 race, the speed and intensity started to catch him by surprise.  

“With each lap I was increasingly surprised by how smooth the pace felt and it was soon clear I was having the race of my life,” Hicks said. “Coming through the mile at around 4:22, I was feeling strong and pushed into third place. As Cole Sprout and Nico Young furthered their lead, I desperately attempted to maintain my pace and effort level. After this point, the race was honestly a blur. The last thing I remember is a monstrous kick from Drew Bosley and just holding onto him as we finished our final lap.”

Hicks knew his time was good and he assumed he’d run about 8:53.

“I didn’t truly believe I’d run an 8:49 until I saw the official results,” he said. “After that, I was over the moon.”

That time bumped him ahead of Brett Hoffman, who in 1977 ran a 2-mile that converts to 8:49.91 at the International Prep meet in Chicago. It became the Florida standard for decades.

Hoffman said this week that he was glad to see Hicks break the record.

“It's about time. Records are supposed to be something to inspire and aspire to, and eventually surpass,” Hoffman said. “I got way way more mileage out of the result of this one race than I ever would have imagined back in 1977. I predict a flurry of outstanding times in the near future for Florida distance runners now that this mental barrier has been broken. Congratulations to Charles Hicks and I am excited to see more results from him the remainder of the season.”

For his part, Hicks has dreamed of breaking a state record since he was in the seventh grade.  

“The funny thing is, going into the race last weekend, I had absolutely no idea what the Florida 3,200-meter record was,” he said. “I was blown away when I saw not only that I’d beaten it, but that it had been by such a tight margin. I felt both extremely lucky and gratified to have finally secured a state record of my own and I’m thankful to the parents, coaches, teammates, and friends who have helped me continuously on this journey.”

The signature event at Arcadia, the boys 3,200 meters is an early season assault on sub-nine for many of the top runners from around the country. Saturday's race produced 14 sub-nine minute times, including a meet record for Young, the winner in 8:40.0. Sprout also ran under the meet record, and broke the Colorado best, with 8:40.73.

Hicks also scored the Florida record at 3,000 meters (8:18.32) thanks to timing set up with 200 to go.