A Championship Progression 🇺🇸

Drew Hunter reflects on his USATF Outdoor Championship experiences and how each one has shaped him as a competitor

Drew made his USA Outdoor Championship debut in 2017, just one year after graduating high school and signing his first professional contract. He had a solid showing on the national stage, advancing through the prelim and finishing 11th in the final. Since then, he has competed in six outdoor championships across the 1500m, 5000m, and 10,000m distances, each race making him a more seasoned competitor and contributing to his growth as a runner. His progression has culminated in back-to-back 4th-place finishes over the past two years in the 10,000m and 5,000m.

Keep reading to hear Drew’s reflections on each of these championship experiences - what stood out, what he learned, and how each race shaped the athlete he is today.

2017 - Sacramento, 1500m (3:46.37) 11th place

This was my first senior championship, coming right after I signed my pro contract in 2016. I was full of nerves, and my only goal was to make the final. I just barely made it in on time — a tiny “q.” I spent that weekend with my friend Cory Leslie, mostly feeling relieved that my first year as a pro hadn’t been a total bust. Making the final at 19 meant a lot. I was lining up against athletes I had looked up to for years — they felt more like idols than competitors. That summer, I went on to run 3:36 — one of the fastest 1500m times ever by an American under 20.

2018 - Des Moines, 1500m (3:43.97) 6th place

With no World Championships that year, the goal was to race boldly and treat it like a chance to practice placing in the top 3 — even if nothing was really on the line besides pride (and egos — I always want to win). I had a plan going in: take the lead with 600m to go and try to wind it up from there. I made my move, but got swallowed up by some of the more experienced guys — I did a poor job protecting my space and paid for it. I rallied a bit in the homestretch, but I walked away from that race with two takeaways:

1. Tactics matter.

2. I’m not that fast, maybe it’s time to consider moving up in distance next year.

2019 - Des Moines, 5000m (13:29.19) 5th place

I came into this race as one of the few guys with the World Championship standard in the 5000m. But the lead-up had been rocky — I’d been battling serious plantar pain for weeks, and my training had been spotty at best. I knew I was fitfrom cross-training and a few solid workouts, but the real question was: would my body hold up?

After a rain delay, I reminded myself to stay composed, focus on what I could control, and not let the moment overwhelm me. The gun went off, it started fast, but eventually we settled in. When the bell rang, a pack of us were still in the hunt, all chasing that dream of making the team.

With 150m to go, I felt a sharp pop — my plantar gave out. I did my best to jog it in and, because I already had the standard, I officially made the World team for Doha. But I never got to line up. The injury forced me to turn down the spot.

That race changed my life. On one hand, I achieved a lifelong dream — making a U.S. team. But it also marked one of my lowest moments, being sidelined right when it mattered most. That offseason was tough. I was frustrated, but I walked away knowing this: I belonged. I was capable of making teams — and I wasn’t done yet.

2022 - Eugene, 1500m (3:39.55), 7th in H3 prelim

The few years leading up to this race were anything but smooth. Covid, another injury that kept me out of the 2021 Olympic Trials, and just a lot of lingering doubt about what I was really capable of as a runner. I missed the final here by one spot — the only time I’ve ever failed to make a U.S. final.

It was only my second 1500m of the season. I’d started 2022 planning to focus on the 5K, but snagged a last-second qualifier for the 1500m and showed up with zero expectations. I hadn’t been training for it. I raced a bit timidly, closed hard on the last lap, but it wasn’t enough.

I walked away from that one feeling pretty defeated and unsure of what direction to go next. The U.S. was just so stacked in every event. It felt like no matter where I turned, the path forward wasn’t clear.

But things turned around. Later that summer, I ran 3:34 — the third-fastest time by an American that year. Strength really is speed.

2023 - Eugene, 1500m (3:36.51), 8th place

This whole year was “fake it till you make it” mode. Off the track, life was full — we had our first daughter in April, and I was sick on and off, missing more training than I care to admit. I felt like I was fighting my body all year, so heading into the championships, my honest goal was just to survive — not fall flat on my face.

I was in a stacked prelim and remember thinking, “Uh oh.” I gave it everything I had and barely snuck into the final. But I learned something important: if your only goal is to make the final, then the prelim becomes your final.

I was completely out of it from the gun in the final — finished 8th, never a factor. Just didn’t have it. But that lesson stuck with me.

2024 - Eugene, 10,000m (27:53.35), 4th place

THE START OF THE DREW HUNTER REVIVAL TOUR, BABY.

I had been building toward this race all year, and when the moment came, I showed up. Mentally, I felt locked in, like no one was going to out-tough me that day. I’d prepared with everything I had for the 10K, and I executed when it counted.

Finishing 4th obviously stung — no one wants to be that close — but this race reminded me of something I needed to feel again: I’m talented, and if I can dial in the things that have been holding me back, I can be right in the mix.

And hey, you never know when it might be your last Olympic Trials. It very well could’ve been mine. So I soaked it all in — lap after lap. That’s the gift of a 10K.

2025 - Eugene, 5,000m (13:27.16), 4th place

I was ready to go to war.

This was the best U.S. final I’ve ever been a part of, and I truly believed that if things broke my way, I could do something special. But leading up to it, I felt calm. At peace. Warming up, I even caught myself thinking, “If it doesn’t go your way today, that’s okay — you’ve got a good life.”

I expected it to go out slow for a mile or two, then figured Grant would crank things from far out. But it didn’t really start moving until 600 to go. Once it did, I latched onto the back of the group and just sent it. At that point, there’s not much left to think about. It’s all instinct and grit.

I left it all out there and, yep… came up with another dreaded 4th place. But this time, the guys ahead of me were the Olympic gold medalist, a two-time World bronze medalist, and the American record holder. That’s a group I’m proud to be kicking with.

It’ll go my way one of these days. I just have to keep showing up.

Personally, I’ve reached a place where I know the results don’t define me anymore. I give it my all every time I toe the line. Of course I want to make teams - that’s how you build a career in this sport. But whether I do or not, I still get to come home to an incredible wife and two beautiful kids. No time on the clock will ever touch that.

My daughter has a little music book, and the last few lines always stick with me:
“And Allegro was back home. It was still time to practice. So he did. And he did. And he did.”
All these 4th-place finishes? They’re just reps. Character-building moments. And when it’s finally my time, I’ll be ready.

⚒️Coaching Spotlight⚒️

Katie Camarena

Coach Katie is a professional distance runner for Saucony and Team Meridia! She ran in college at UC Santa Barbara before transferring to Portland State for grad school, where she later served as an assistant coach. Katie’s favorite part about coaching is seeing others achieve their goals. She’s excited to work with any athlete - regardless of ability - who shares her joy for running and life. Reach out today if you’d like to work with her!

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