Fairbanks graduate Hoover places fifth during USATF national 800-meter race

It was an experience Fairbanks High School graduate Rachael Hoover will not soon forget.

Last week the Journal-Tribune reported that the 2024 Fairbanks graduate was competing in the USATF (track and field) U20 National Championships.

Hoover’s short trip culminated in a fifth-place finish following the 800-meter race with a time of 2:09.48.

Fairbanks graduate Rachael Hoover poses with her medal following her performance in Eugene, Oregon during the 800-meter race in the 2025 USATF U20 National Championships. (Photo submitted)

Despite not finishing her best, Hoover said the experience running among some of the best college and high school runners in the country was a positive steppingstone in her career.

“I found it incredibly beneficial because I have never raced a meet where everything was taken so professionally,” she said, adding her college races differ from the USATF event and its organized atmosphere.

“There were so many things that I learned and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity,” she said.

This was also the first time Hoover had to go into a track and field event by herself.

“I am used to relying on my teammates and being able to use them to lean on,” she said. “This was first time I had to be there by myself and warmup by myself… “That was different for sure.”

The event was held at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field, located in Eugene.

Hoover touched down on the West Coast last Wednesday (June 18) with the plan of racing a preliminary heat the following day.

She was accompanied by her college (Bowling Green State University) assistant coach Rachel Rhynard.

“I was really excited the entire time and just excited to see the track and to have the opportunity to compete,” said Hoover. “Normally I have a lot of nerves before a race.

“This one was a lot more laid back and I was just excited to be there and in the moment,” she said. “It was different than any other travel that I’ve had.”

However, due to the limited number of athletes participating, the organizers opted to forgo the prelim and just conduct the nine-runner championship final.

Hoover benefitted from a day at Hayward to do what she originally planned on — just soaking in the moment.

“When I got to the facility, I was pretty nervous,” she said. “We got there a little early just so I knew exactly where to go and what the process was going to be.

“I felt like the first day I was just getting used to everything,” she said.

With no prelim to race, Hoover said her time at Hayward was well-spent as she went through her routine without the anxiousness of having to race.

“When I was there, I was just able to take in the big moment,” she said. “When I got to the finals, the only new thing was actually being out on the track and racing.

“The prep was all the same as the day before.”

Fast forwarding to last Friday (June 20), Hoover – along with eight other athletes – took to the track.

Competing with some of the best runners in the country was not intimidating to the former Lady Panther.

In her collegiate career thus far, Hoover has competed in stride with other Power Four college athletes, making this event just another race.

“I feel like me a year ago would say, ‘yes, that was really intimidating,’ but I feel like throughout college I kind of learned how to deal with those emotions,” Hoover said, adding she reminded herself that she deserved to be here.

“I found it a little bit nerve racking to be around so much talent and so many people watching the event… I knew that I belonged there,” said Hoover.

The FHS graduate was pleasantly surprised by the ambition of the high school athletes she raced against, especially at the start of the 800.

“The girl that won and the one who got second are both in high school and you could definitely tell in the race that they were high schoolers,” she said. “In college, at least in my experience, [the races] are a lot more controlled.

“They just don’t know how collegiate racing works, so that was a little bit of a surprise for me especially not being in top-end shape right now,” said Hoover.

The event tested Hoover’s toughness after the high schoolers started the race red-hot.

“That was like probably the most painful 800 I’ve ever raced because we took it out so fast and it was the high schoolers that took it out fast,” she said. “They have a big future ahead of them… it was cool to talk to them and see the programs they are going to.”

Typical 800-meter races are essentially a two-lap sprint, according to Hoover. She started out in lane eight, which she preferred because she is able to “cut in” easier.

“On the home straightaway of the first 400 meters, I felt like they were slowing down so I moved up toward the front of the pack,” Hoover said.

“We got to the 500-meter mark and my legs just went lactic and I could not move them at all… it was grit the entire time.”

Hoover said she was still proud of the way she completed the race, given her current conditioning.

“I don’t think I really realized how cool it was until we were on the podium,” Hoover said. “Specifically after… hardly anything was going through my head other than trying to lay down.”