Hobbs Kessler from Michigan runs his personal best of 1500 m and qualifies for the Olympic Games in Paris

In 2021, Hobbs Kessler was an 18-year-old high school student who had just achieved his goal of competing in the Olympics.

After proving his potential three years ago, the Ann Arbor native realized his dream on Monday by finishing third in the 1,500-meter race at the U.S. Olympic Qualifying Trials, qualifying for the Summer Olympics in Paris.

Kessler achieved a personal best time of 3 minutes, 31.53 seconds, securing third place for Team USA in the event.

The 21-year-old finished behind Yared Nuguse (3:30.86) and Cole Hocker, who set an Olympic qualifying record with a time of 3:30.59.

It’s been a long road for Kessler, who broke out as a high school phenom in 2021 when he beat the national U20 team in the 1500-meter run to qualify for the Olympics.

Kessler won his first heat this year, but finished eighth in the semifinals and missed the chance to qualify.

But on Monday everything was different for the young runner, as he stood up to the experience of Nuguse and Hocker and became an Olympic participant.

Kessler delivered a strong race from start to finish, keeping pace with Nuguse, running second for most of the race before Hocker turned up the pressure and crossed the finish line first.

Nevertheless, Kessler has achieved the goal that eluded him the first time around, and now the phenomenon will have the chance to represent the USA this summer.

The Olympic Games are scheduled to begin on Friday, July 26. The first round of the 1500m will take place on August 2, followed by the final on August 6.