by Eva Dean Folkert
Nick Hoffman notched his second Hope indoor track and field record of 2021 in convincing fashion again on Saturday.
The junior from Holland (Holland HS) ran to a converted time of 8:31.93 in the 3000-meter run at the non-scoring Grand Valley State University Big Meet. Indoor times at GVSU are converted due to the oversized track which creates faster times.
Hoffman broke the seven-year-old 3000-meter Hope record by more than five seconds. The old mark was set by James Rogers in 2014 with a time of 8:37.13.
Hope Track and Field Records
Earlier this season, Hoffman also broke a 14-year Hope mark in the mile when he ran to a converted time of 4:12.57, also at GVSU.
He now holds the 12th-best time in the 3000-meter and the second-best time in the mile in NCAA Division III.
Hoffman's unconverted time of 8:26.04 in the 3000-meter run on Saturday earned him fourth place in the Big Meet.
"Nick ran a very efficient and mature race, working his way through the pack in the early part of the race," said assistant coach track coach Mark Northuis who coaches distance runners. "This set him up to negative split the last half of his race finishing the final 400 m in 63 seconds. Nick really has worked hard to try to expand his racing abilities this year and moving up to the 3000 is a testament of his hard work and determination."
