On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Quakertown senior Josiah Hickey was recognized for committing to continue his track & field career at Messiah University. (Photos provided courtesy of Jennifer Banas/QCHS)
Josiah Hickey – Messiah University (Track & Field)
Major: Health & Physical Education
Reasons for choosing Messiah: “I chose Messiah because it’s a Christian university, they have a great track program and a great physical education program.
What was the progression that led you to competing in track & field at the collegiate level? “I started thinking about it since freshman year. I wanted to continue in college since then. I started looking at Messiah in the fall, and it came down to the wire at the end of May, and I finally decided that Messiah was right for me.”
Quakertown coach Rudy Levinski: “I’ve had the privilege of coaching Josiah for the past four
track seasons as well as getting to work with him over the past two cross country seasons. Typically, in track, athletes will compete solely in the event that is their specialty throughout their career. In that regard, Josiah Hickey was our team’s unicorn. Just this past year, he competed in every individual running event from 100 meters all the way up to the 1600-hundred meters in addition to competing in the javelin, the 4x100-meter relay and the 4x400-meter relay. In each of those events, he was amongst our team’s top performers, subsequently earning the second highest point total on the team this past season.
“Josiah’s season culminated with one of my favorite moments of the year. During the last round of the Suburban One League championships, he threw the javelin 10 feet farther than he had ever thrown it, coming from behind to win the SOL championship. His mark of 165 feet, seven inches, is the fifth farthest throw in Quakertown history and qualified him for the District 1 championship in the process.
“Throughout the season, Josiah Hickey was not just a distance runner or a sprinter or a thrower. He was capable of competing at a high level in each of these event groups, an extraordinarily difficult and demanding feat.
“Over the past four years, I’ve come to know Josiah Hickey as an incredibly hardworking and steadfastly driven young man. In fact, anyone driving around Quakertown over the past four years – chances are they’ve probably passed Josiah Hickey during a training run.
“Josiah, congratulations on a truly outstanding high school career. Messiah University is getting an exceptional young man and a superb athlete. I can’t wait to see the extraordinary things you’ll accomplish on and off the track at the next level.”
About Josiah:
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite movie: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Favorite music: Pop
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