Sonoma Academy Star Josie Hill Committed to Oregon
The record-holding runner pledged to join the University of Oregon track and field program.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Track & Field
Live Poll
Do you support high school athletes committing to college programs before their senior season ends?
Sonoma Academy standout Josie Hill has verbally committed to run for the University of Oregon starting next year. Hill, who holds the Redwood Empire all-time 800-meter record, announced her decision following an official campus visit to Eugene.
Why it matters
Hill joins a premier collegiate program after a decorated high school career that included a third-place finish in the 800-meter race at the CIF state championships. Her move marks a significant transition to the next level of competitive athletics.
Hill holds the Redwood Empire all-time 800-meter record with a time of 2 minutes, 5.86 seconds. She also recorded personal bests of 56.54 in the 400-meter, 4:50.56 in the 1,600-meter, and 10:52.22 in the 3,200-meter races.
The players
Josie Hill
She is a Sonoma Academy athlete and the Redwood Empire all-time 800-meter record holder.
Shalane Flanagan
She is an assistant coach at the University of Oregon who communicated with Hill during her commitment process.
Rylee Bowen
She is a fellow athlete who provided guidance to Hill regarding the college commitment process.
University of Oregon
This is a public research university in Eugene known for its highly competitive collegiate track and field program.
Sonoma Academy
This is the current high school in Santa Rosa where Hill completes her athletic training and competition.
The details
Hill made her verbal commitment during a phone call with University of Oregon assistant coach Shalane Flanagan. Before attending Sonoma Academy, she began her high school career at Technology, consistently improving her state championship placements throughout her tenure.
Timeline
Last summer: Hill completed an official visit to the University of Oregon campus.
Last week: Hill consulted with Rylee Bowen regarding college commitments.
September 2026: Hill announced her commitment to the University of Oregon.
Season Trajectory
Hill's commitment to the University of Oregon signals a major shift in her competitive path as she concludes her final year of high school. This move bolsters the recruiting pipeline for Oregon while setting the stage for Hill's transition to elite collegiate racing.
Hill currently holds the Redwood Empire all-time record in the 800-meter event, providing a clear benchmark for her upcoming senior season. Her transition to Oregon means she will no longer be available for local regional track meets after the current school year ends.
The takeaway
Hill demonstrates the importance of consistent performance improvement from freshman to junior year in attracting top-tier recruitment. Aspiring student-athletes should leverage official campus visits to confirm their fit with university programs before finalizing verbal commitments.
What happens next
Hill plans to compete in her senior cross country and track seasons before transitioning to collegiate athletics next year.
Further reading
For more on local athletes making collegiate moves, visit the Track & Field section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Live Poll
Do you support high school athletes committing to college programs before their senior season ends?
