Hofstra Runner Shatters 800m Record in 4th Place Finish

William Thu didn't cross the finish line first, but the Hofstra junior still made history. At the Metropolitan Championship on Friday, he shattered the school's 800m record with a stunning time of 1:54.90, finishing fourth in a highly competitive field at Staten Island's Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex.

The previous record had stood as the benchmark for Pride runners, but Thu's performance erased it from the books. His sub-1:55 time places him among an elite group of collegiate middle-distance runners and gives Hofstra a new standard to chase.

Thu wasn't the only Pride athlete leaving everything on the track. Ryan McAlea captured fifth place in the 5000m with a time of 15:08.11, while teammate Daniel Torrillo finished just two seconds behind in sixth. Noah Zeitzer matched Thu's fourth place finish in the mile, clocking 4:22.86.

The Metropolitan Championship brought together some of the region's top track programs. Hofstra finished ninth overall with 17 points, while Rowan University dominated the meet with 185 points and the team title.

Why This Inspires

Thu's record-breaking run shows that personal excellence doesn't require a first-place medal. By focusing on his own performance rather than just beating opponents, he achieved something that will outlast any single race result. His name now sits atop Hofstra's record books, inspiring future Pride runners to push their own limits.

The entire Hofstra squad demonstrated the depth of their program, with competitive finishes across distance events from the 400m dash to the 5000m. These athletes competed against the region's best and held their own, showing the power of consistent training and team support.

The Pride returns to Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on February 6 for the Fastrack National Invitational, where Thu and his teammates will have another chance to test themselves against elite competition and maybe rewrite a few more record books along the way.