North Carolina State University Athletics
Assistant Coach Ryan Hill inducted into N.C. High School Track & Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame
1/29/2026 11:00:00 AM | Track, Cross Country
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - NC State cross country and track & field assistant coach Ryan Hill will be inducted into the N.C. High School Track & Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame on Saturday, Jan. 31, during the Mondo Elite High School Invitational at the JDL Fast Track.
A Wolfpack alumnus, Hill competed for NC State's cross country and track & field programs and graduated in 2013 with a degree in sport management. He burst onto the collegiate scene in 2008, earning ACC Cross Country Rookie of the Year honors, and capped his senior season by being named the NCAA Southeast Regional Athlete of the Year after winning the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship.
During his career at NC State, Hill accumulated 10 All-American honors. He placed third in the men's 1500m at the 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships and finished as the NCAA runner-up in the indoor mile in 2013.
Hill recorded personal bests of 3:35.59 in the 1500m, 3:54.89 in the mile, 7:30.93 in the 3000m and 13:05.69 in the 5000m. He was also named to the 2009 U.S. Junior (now U-20) World Cross Country team.
Before competing for the Wolfpack, Hill attended Hickory High School in Hickory, NC., where he was a three-time 3A cross country state champion (2005-07) and a four-time 3A outdoor track state champion. He won the 3200m in 2006, 2007 and 2008, and the 1600m in 2007. Hill was named a Foot Locker All-American after becoming just the second North Carolina male to win the Foot Locker South Regional Championship, an achievement accomplished by only three other athletes from the state.
Following his collegiate career, Hill continued to excel at the professional level:
- Indoor
- World Championships silver medalist in the 3000m
- Three-time U.S. Indoor Championships medalist (two gold, one bronze)
- 2016 Millrose Game Champion (3000m, 7:38.82)
- Outdoor
- 4-time U.S. Outdoor Championships medalist (one gold, one silver, two bronze)
- 4-time U.S. World Outdoor Championships team member (2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018)
- Additional Highlights
- Ranked top 10 nationally in the 5000m for seven consecutive years by Track & Field News
- 2016 USATF 5K Championships road champion
- 2015 Diamond League 5000m finalist
- Ran the U.S. all-time No. 3 indoor 3000m time (7:34.87) in 2014, now No. 7
- Ran the U.S. all-time No. 4 outdoor 3000m time (7:30.93) in 2017, now No. 6
- Ran the U.S. all-time No. 4 indoor two-mile time (8:11.56) in 2017, now No. 6
Hill ran professionally for Nike and Bowerman Track Club from 2013-20 and for Hoka and NAZ Elite in 2020. He joined the NC State cross country and track & field coaching staff full-time in 2023 after serving as a volunteer coach the previous season. Hill was also inducted into the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.
Ryan Hill will be a member of the seventh induction class of the N.C. High School Track & Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame, which honors athletes, coaches and officials who have significantly impacted the sports on the high school level and beyond. More information about the NCTFCC Hall of Fame Class is available here.
