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Olympic Gold Medalist Shares Unique Tie To Saints Linebacker

Olympic Gold Medalist Cole Hocker went to high school with this Saints linebacker, and they were track teammates together.
John Hendrix|
Aug 4, 2024; Paris Saint-Denis, France; Cole Hocker (USA) and Josh Kerr (GBR) compete in a menís 1500m semifinal heat during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade de France. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 4, 2024; Paris Saint-Denis, France; Cole Hocker (USA) and Josh Kerr (GBR) compete in a menís 1500m semifinal heat during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade de France. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports | Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

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New Orleans Saints

The 2024 Paris Olympics saw something fairly shocking happen on Tuesday, as Cole Hocker took the gold in the Men's 1500m. He set a new Olympic record in the process, crossing the finish line in 3:27.65. It was nearly three seconds faster than his personal best.

Hocker has a tie to New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner, as they were track teammates at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Both are distinguished Alumni. Werner was a few years older than Hocker, but said that he was incredible and that they were in some relay teams together.

Pete Werner
Pete Werner running track in high school | Saints PR
Pete Werner
Pete Werner running track in high school | Saints PR

The United States currently leads the Olympic Games with 82 total medals (22 gold, 31 silver, 29 bronze). The event will conclude in Sunday, Aug. 11.

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John Hendrix
JOHN HENDRIX

I officially started covering the New Orleans Saints & other NFL topics in 2011. My work has been featured on various outlets over the years. I worked closely with Skyhorse Publishing in Fall 2018 to update the book, Tales From the New Orleans Saints Sidelines, which filled in all Saints material from the 2013-2017 seasons. Prior to joining Saints News Network, I served as the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles for 3.5 years, and before that with FanSided's Who Dat Dish as the Managing Editor for several years. I have also had experiences of being a freelance Saints reporter for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, MS and a contributing writer for WDSU, a local NBC TV station in New Orleans. I have appeared on a vast amount of TV and Radio shows, both nationally and locally. For tips, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at johnhendrix@saintsnews.net

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