Depp breaks 28-year-old KCHS record in 1600 meters

Kent County High School junior Janey Depp sets new school mark in the 1600 meters at the Cambridge Classic invitational.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vibrant, abstract painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color that convey the explosive movement and energy of a high school track and field race.A cubist interpretation of a high school track and field race, capturing the raw energy and motion of the runners through a fragmented, geometric lens.Cambridge Today

Janey Depp, a junior at Kent County High School, broke the school's 28-year-old record in the 1600 meters at the Cambridge Classic outdoor track and field invitational. Depp finished the race in 5 minutes, 50.92 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 5:54.8 set by Erin Hoopes in 1998. Depp also placed second in the 800 and 3200 meters, with personal-best times in those events as well.

Why it matters

Depp's record-breaking performance in the 1600 meters is a significant achievement for the Kent County High School track and field program, as it demonstrates the school's continued excellence in producing top-tier distance runners. The fact that Depp's time surpassed a 28-year-old record underscores her impressive talent and the hard work she has put in to improve her skills.

The details

At the Cambridge Classic, Depp established a new school record of 5 minutes, 50.92 seconds in the 1600 meters, breaking the previous mark of 5:54.8 set by Erin Hoopes in 1998. Depp was the runner-up to Snow Hill senior Allie Suarezapecheche, who finished the race in 5:48.64. Depp also placed second to Suarezapecheche in the 800 and 3200 meters, setting personal-best times in those events as well.

  • On Saturday at the ninth annual Cambridge Classic outdoor track and field invitational, Depp established the new school record.
  • The previous record of 5:54.8 was set by Erin Hoopes in May of 1998.

The players

Janey Depp

A junior at Kent County High School who broke the school's 28-year-old record in the 1600 meters.

Erin Hoopes

The previous record holder in the 1600 meters at Kent County High School, with a time of 5:54.8 set in May 1998.

Allie Suarezapecheche

A senior at Snow Hill High School who won the 1600 meters at the Cambridge Classic with a time of 5:48.64, finishing ahead of Depp.

Lakesha Hoxter

The head coach of the Kent County High School track and field team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“While injury this winter likely prevented Janey Depp from qualifying for the state indoor track championships as a follow-up to her breakout cross country season in the fall, the Kent County High School junior appears to be well-healed.”

— Trish Mcgee, Author

What’s next

Depp's record-breaking performance at the Cambridge Classic will likely earn her a spot in the upcoming state outdoor track and field championships, where she will have the opportunity to compete against the best runners in the state.

The takeaway

Janey Depp's impressive record-breaking run in the 1600 meters at the Cambridge Classic demonstrates the depth of talent in the Kent County High School track and field program and the hard work and dedication of its athletes. Depp's success is a testament to her own skill and determination, as well as the coaching and support she has received from the KCHS program.