18-Year-Old Josh Hoey Signs Pro Contract With Adidas
With his high school career only months behind him, 18-year-old Josh Hoey has signed a professional contract with Adidas.
With his high school career only months behind him, 18-year-old Josh Hoey has signed a professional contract with Adidas, forgoing his enrollment to the University of Oregon. “Blessed to announce I will be turning pro and running for @adidasrunning next year! I will be represented by #GlobalAthleticsandMarketing, and run with The Mission Athletic Club in San Diego #adidas,” said Hoey in a tweet yesterday evening.
This past February, the Pennsylvania native set the national indoor high school record in the 800m, clocking in at 1:47.67. In June, Hoey won the men’s 800-meter title in 1:49.48 at the USATF Junior Championships which was followed by a first place finish and PR in July in the 800m semifinals in 1:48.07 at the IAAF World U-20 Championships.
Hoey will be represented by Mark Wetmore of Global Athletics & Marketing, Inc and will train under coach Terrence Mahon. A founding director and coach of the B.A.A. Performance Program in Boston, Mahon left the position earlier this year to start the San Diego pro training group which now includes former gold medalist in the 800m at the European Championships in 2012, Lynsey Sharp.
With his decision, Hoey follows in the footsteps of national high school record holder Drew Hunter and sprinters Noah Lyles and Josephus Lyles who also signed with Adidas in 2016 following their senior year. Other track teens who chose to go pro following their high school careers include sprinters Candace Hill and Khalifa St. Fort; and middle-distance runners Ajee Wilson, Mary Cain and Alexa Efraimson.