Former Kansas track star Bryce Hoppel earns trip to Paris Olympics, to compete under KU coach Stanley Redwine

The University of Kansas will be well-represented at the upcoming 2024 Olympics as former KU track & field star Bryce Hoppel has officially punched his ticket to Paris.

Hoppel – One of the most decorated athletes in Kansas Athletics history – set a new U.S. Olympic Trials record (and personal record) in the men’s 800-meter race this weekend with a time of 1:42.77. His gold-medal finish earned him his sixth straight U.S. title and second straight Olympics appearance.

At age 26, Hoppel has accomplished a lot in his young career.

While in high school in Midland, Texas, Hoppel won the 2016 Texas 6A State Track & Field Championship in the 800m. He also set Midland High School records in the 800m, 1600m, and 3-mile races.

His success continued at KU as Hoppel flourished under legendary track & field coach Stanley Redwine – a former 800m runner All-American at the University of Arkansas and Team USA’s Men’s Track & Field head coach in this year’s Olympics.

Redwine – who is already in the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame – helped guide Hoppel to two national championships while at KU, along with four Big 12 titles and multiple All-American nods.

At the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in June 2019, Hoppel ran the fifth fastest 800m time in NCAA history (1:44.41) and nearly eclipsed KU legend Jim Ryun’s school record of 1:44.3 set in 1966.

After his junior year, Hoppel decided to turn pro and has since competed in several national and internal competitions, including the 2024 World Indoor Championships where he won gold in the 800m with a time of 1:44.92.

After winning gold at the Indoor Championships and setting a new record at the Olympic Trials this past weekend, Hoppel appears to be at peak performance heading into the Paris Olympics. However, after the trials, he said he thinks he can perform even better.

The first round of the men’s 800m is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Aug. 7.

The crimson and blue faithful will be following the track meets closely as Hoppel and Redwine attempt to bring home the gold for Team USA.