Wiley, 19, representing NAIA Huntington University (Indiana), earns eighth in 3:59.17 in Diamond League debut in Belgium to eclipse collegiate all-time mark of 3:59.90 set by Colorado star Simpson at 2009 Prefontaine Classic; Wiley and Decker Slaney only Americans with sub-1:58 in 800, sub-4:00 in 1,500

By David Woods for DyeStat

Photo by Matthew Quine/Wanda Diamond League

At the rate Addy Wiley is improving, it is worth asking not only whether she will make Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but whether she can make a run at a medal.

The 19-year-old athlete from NAIA Huntington University in Indiana, in her Diamond League debut, set an all-dates collegiate record of 3:59.17 for 1,500 meters Friday in finishing eighth in the Allianz Memorial Van Damme meet in Brussels, Belgium. 

She was also top American, beating Sinclaire Johnson (3:59.19) in ninth and Cory McGee (4:02.32) in 14th.

The previous collegiate record was 3:59.90 by Colorado’s Jenny (Barringer) Simpson at the 2009 Prefontaine Classic. This year’s Pre Classic meet is the Diamond League final Sept. 16-17 at Eugene, Ore.

Wiley’s run came four days after she became the second-fastest collegian ever at 800 meters, finishing second in 1:57.64 at the Gala dei Castelli in Bellinzona, Switzerland. She and Mary Decker Slaney are the only Americans ever to clock sub-1:58 and sub-4:00.

Wiley’s previous 1,500 best was 4:03.22 on June 3 at Memphis, Tenn.

In a text message to DyeStat, Huntington coach Austin Roark said Wiley plans to represent the university in cross country this fall. If Wiley is chosen for the Pan American Games, whose dates coincide with the Crossroads League meet, “we will coordinate travel and see what is best for everyone,” Roark texted.

Roark said Wiley has been approached by shoe companies, training groups and agents but “has intentions” of representing Huntington University in both cross country and track in 2023-24.

“Furthermore, she has my support to compete in any Team USA events that she is invited or qualified for,” Roark said.

As a freshman, Wiley won five events at the NAIA indoor nationals and was responsible for Huntington becoming the U.S. Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association program of the year for 2022-23.

The Brussels 1,500 featured nine women with pre-race PBs under 4:00 and seven of 12 finalists from the World Championships in Budapest. Runners were clumped for much of the race, and Wiley rarely had a clear pathway.

Great Britain’s Laura Muir won in a season-best 3:55.34, followed by Ciara Mageean in an Irish record of 3:55.87. Nelly Chepchirchir of Kenya was third in 3:56.93 and Australia’s Jessica Hull fourth in 3:57.75.

Katie Snowden and Melissa Courtney-Bryant, also of Great Britain, were fifth and seventh in 3:58.03 and 3:58.09. In sixth was Hirut Meshesha of Ethiopia in 3:58.06.

Wiley edged past Johnson, along with finishing ahead of the 31-year-old McGee, 10th at Worlds. At July’s nationals, McGee was third, Johnson fourth at Wiley fifth.

Wiley, while at Huntington (Ind.) North, had a best of 4:11.43 last year and was fifth in the World Under-20 Championships at Cali, Colombia. She set a national high school record of 4:26.16 in the 1,600 on June 11, 2022, at Allendale, Mich. – equivalent to 4:07.9 for 1,500.

Contact David Woods at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007