If you have followed Monmouth Track and Field over the past two years, then you have followed sophomore, Dylan Capwell.
Capwell etched his name in MU history two weeks ago at the NCAA Finals finishing second in the 800. After coming in at 1:48.23 in his initial heat and second overall, Capwell qualified for the finals. The Lake Hopatcong, NJ native faced stiff competition in the championship and would eventually be edged out by talented Iowa State senior, Edward Kemboi of Kenya.
“The goal is always to take first in any race I go to but just being able to run the way I did was incredible,” said Capwell. “As a sophomore qualifying as the fastest American and getting flown out to Arkansas for five days was amazing, it means everything to me.”
But the story goes much further than second place; Capwell set a new personal best and school record at 1:46.70, solidifying a First Team All-American selection. Not only did he venture into uncharted territory for MU athletes, but Capwell’s record breaking time made him the fastest collegiate American 800 meter runner in the country. However, that only scratches the surface of what Capwell has achieved in his first two years for the Hawks.
The accomplished MU Indoor Track and Field team won their second straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship earlier this year, and Capwell certainly left his mark on the competition. On his way to the fastest time ever for a collegiate athlete at the historic New York Armory, Capwell broke both the MAAC and school record in the 800. His performance at the MAAC Championship earned him Mid-Atlantic Regional Track Athlete of the Year honors, determined by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
With two years left in his collegiate career, such accolades tend to beg the question, could Capwell be considered the greatest West Long Branch has ever seen?
“If you look at just plain results he’s the highest finisher we’ve ever had at NCAAs, we’ve never had anyone finish as high as second so he’s got the best result,” said Head Coach Joe Compagni, in his 19th season at the helm for the Hawks. “I think he’s just getting started too, I think there’s a lot more that he can do; we’ve had some other guys that made All-American two and three times so he’s got a ways to go to stake a single claim to being the very best.”
Capwell is no stranger to All-American honors.
Freshman year saw this rising star become the first ever male MU athlete to qualify for the NCAA Championships in a track event.
Following his trip to the University of Oregon for the 2014 NCAA Championships where he ran a 1.51.18 in the 800, Capwell garnered honorable mention All-American status off a seventh place finish.
Capwell has been on a steady incline since he first suited up for the Hawks, but only time will tell what he is truly capable of.
“We don’t know what his ceiling is yet,” said Coach Compagni. “He’s developed so well and so fast that I don’t think we know where his max is yet, there’s still some big improvements he can make.”
