The Midland Chamber congratulated Midlander Bryce Hoppel, who earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in this year’s Summer Olympics in Paris. Hoppel attended and ran for Midland High School and the University of Kansas (KU).
The former Bulldog track and field star excelled in the 800 meters during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on June 30.
Hoppel clocked in a personal record of 1 minute, 42.77 seconds to head to his second straight Olympiad.
In a July 1 Facebook post, the Midland Chamber said Hoppel's "dedication, hard work, and relentless spirit have truly paid off," and that he has made Midland "so incredibly proud."
Permian Basin NBC affiliate KWES News reported that Hoppel’s mark on Sunday bested a U.S. Olympic Trials record that was set back in 1992.
The 6-foot 26-year-old placed 16th in the men’s 800m in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
He has a bronze medal captured in the 2022 world championships.
The Paris Games will begin on July 26 and run through Aug. 11.