Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Breaks 400-Meter Hurdle World Record, Quincy Wilson Set To Become Youngest USA Track Olympian At 16

The second half of the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials left fans on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the biggest show in Paris. There were even more guest appearances from celebrities such as Terry Crews.

Spectators and athletes enjoyed the 13 meet records set at Hayward Field over ten days. The competitiveness of the meet gives fans much to look forward to going into Paris.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Breaks 400-Meter Hurdle World Record For The 5th Time

In typical Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone fashion, the reigning Olympic champion made history on June 30th. McLaughlin-Levrone posted a time of 50.65 in the 400-meter hurdles to break her world record for the 5th time.

Throughout the qualifying rounds, McLaughlin-Levrone easily demonstrated that she was ready to make her third Olympic team. The first team she made was the 2016 Rio Games at 16 years old. At the time, McLaughlin-Levrone was eliminated before the final round. In an interview following the race, she said she would be back and ready to fight for a podium spot.

McLaughlin-Levrone kept her word and made the Olympic team again in 2021. She became the champion and set a new world record alongside two-time Olympic and world champion Dalilah Muhammad. Although Muhammad, the former world record holder, announced that this would be the last Olympic Trials for her career, she has not officially retired from the sport.

Unfortunately, Muhammad did not qualify for the Paris games, but many athletes and fans applauded her for changing the landscape of the women’s 400-meter hurdles before McLaughlin-Levrone. Both women worked together to push this event to new heights and open possibilities that no one imagined.

As McLaughlin-Levrone continues to rewrite history, the question that frequently arises is how fast she can go. In a post-race interview, she expressed her desire to eventually run 49 seconds in the event. For context, her current world record would have placed her 6th in the women’s 400-meter final at the Trials. Any 49-second race would have placed her at least 4th.

Former USC athletes Jasmine Jones and now two-time Olympian Anna Cockrell will join McLaughlin-Levrone in Paris in hopes of chasing greatness together.

Quincy Wilson Is Headed To The Paris Olympics

Forbes wrote an article about Quincy Wilson’s chances of becoming an Olympian four months ago. By 16, Wilson had accomplished many high school and national records. Before coming to the Olympic Trials, Wilson only had a personal best of 45.13. Although that is unheard of for his age, he knew that he would need to run much faster if he wanted a shot at making it to Paris.

ForbesWhy Track Phenom Quincy Wilson Has A Shot To Make The U.S. Olympic TeamBy Katelyn Hutchison

In the first rounds of the men’s 400-meter race, Wilson broke the U18 world record, clocking 44.66 seconds. After racing, Wilson expressed in an interview that he was excited to hear how loud his standing ovation was. He also addressed how love and support are what make him run faster, so he hoped that the positivity would continue through the second round.

His wish came true, as the stadium erupted in cheers as he stepped on the track to attempt qualifying for the 400-meter final. Wilson ran 44.59, breaking the U18 world record for the second time. His effort was good enough to advance him into the final.

Wilson contested the final and ran 44.94, earning him three sub-45 second races over four days. Unfortunately, his time did not place him in the top three, meaning he would not run the open 400-meter in Paris. However, 6th place put him in the conversation for being named to the relay pool, making him an Olympian if selected.

Ultimately, that choice is left up to the USATF relay coaches, who decide who has the strongest chance of earning Team USA a gold medal.

In an Instagram post last night, Wilson let the world know he received a phone call from the relay coaches with the great news that he was selected for the relay pool. This is a historical moment for Wilson for many reasons. He will be the youngest athlete since 1976 to race the 4×400-meter relay at the Olympics. If they decide to put him in the mixed 4×400-meter relay, he will be the youngest in history to contest the event.

Most importantly, Wilson will become the youngest U.S. male track and field Olympian.

Masai Russell Breaks Gail Dever’s Olympic Trials Record

If you ask a track and field fan what the hardest team to make, their answer will almost surely include the women’s 100-meter hurdles. Last season, the U.S. had six of the top ten women in the world. Competitors would have to go through former world record holder Keni Harrison and Olympic silver medalist Nia Ali to make this team.

Nike athlete Masai Russell made the world team with Harrison and Ali last year. Unfortunately, Russell did not make it through the world championship rounds, but she was adamant in her post-race interview about making a comeback. At the time, she called her shot about making the Paris Olympic team.

In a blistering fashion, Russell won the U.S. title at Hayward Field. She ran a new personal best and meet record of 12.25 seconds in the event. This time broke the legendary Gail Dever’s 24 year old meet record which used to be 12.33 seconds. Russell’s success is not suspiring as she’s trained with the 60-meter hurdle world record holder Devynne Charlton for six years.

Following Russell to Paris will be Alaysha Johnson and Grace Stark. Johnson has dealt with health issues throughout her career, making it difficult for her to compete at times. Despite her setbacks, Johnson proves consistently that she can show up when the time is right. Stark broke her leg two years ago and had surgery to get her back to top form. She is now an Olympian after facing a possible career-ending injury. All three women have a deep story that makes this moment special for them.

Raven Saunders Qualifies For Third Olympic Games

Shot put Olympic Silver medalist Raven Saunders qualified for their third Olympic games at Hayward Field this past week. Saunders has been through many tribulations, making this long and fruitful career extremely challenging for them.

For 18 months, Saunders was not allowed to compete due to anti-doping whereabouts failures. However, it is essential to note that USADA did not find them guilty of taking any performance-enhancing substances.

Throughout their career, the Ole Miss alumni has been extremely vocal about depression and poverty. Despite being one of the most successful American shot putters, they have faced many mental health and financial struggles that have made their career even more inspiring.

Saunders announced early on that this would be their final season competing as a track and field athlete. During the announcement, they, like Russell, called their shot and expressed that they would make it to Paris.

Saunders placed second behind the decorated U.S. Champion Chase Jackson, who threw 20.10 meters. This is the first time Jackson has ever qualified for the Olympic games. The third place spot went to NCAA record holder, Bowerman finalist, and Oregon Duck, Jaida Ross.

This trio of athletes have strong medal chances going into Paris. Jackson is the reigning world champion and has won the title twice. Saunders has an Olympic silver medal from Tokyo and placed 5th in 2016. Ross is only one of seven American women in history to eclipse 20 meters in the shot put.

Nikki Hiltz Shatter’s 1500-Meter Olympic Trials Record, Qualifies For First Olympic Games

Nikki Hiltz was one of the thirteen athletes who earned a meet record in Eugene. Hiltz won in 3:55.33 which is almost a four second personal best from last season. Hiltz won the U.S. title last year, which is where they ran their previous lifetime best.

When considering the landscape of the 1500-meter race, most fans predicted Elle St. Pierre would win. St. Pierre had a personal best that far surpassed her competitors in the field: 3:56.00. St. Pierre came into the race off of a 5000-meter victory earlier in the week. Her confidence was high, and it showed since she led the 1500-meter final for most of the way.

Hiltz is the type of runner who attaches to an athlete at a comfortable pace and uses whatever energy they have left at the end to kick for the win. With that racing style, their competitors knew to set a quick pace in hopes of burning Hiltz out.

Despite the hot pace, Hiltz took advantage of the situation and found another gear. They went into the final 200 meters, looking to pick off any athlete in front of them. One by one, they fought their way to the front and soared past St. Pierre. As the finish line inched closer, Hiltz continued to pull away from the competition, solidifying their gold medal spot.

St. Pierre took third in a personal best of 3:55.99. Second place went to New Balance athlete Emily Mackay. Mackay also surprised the entire field, considering she also dropped a four second lifetime best of 3:55.90.

Most excitingly, this women’s 1500-meter final had eight of 12 women earn personal bests.

Gabby Thomas Run’s World Lead In 200-Meter, James Corrigan Solidifies Olympic Spot On Team USA

More riveting performances came from the women’s 200-meter and the men’s steeplechase. As many fans hoped, Gabby Thomas put up a world-leading time and earned another U.S. title. Newly professional Adidas athlete McKenzie Long and world silver medalist Brittany Brown will compete in Paris with Thomas. Unfortunately, world champion Sha’Carri Richardson did not qualify for the 200-meter team, placing fourth overall. Richardson will still contest the 100-meter in Paris.

James Corrigan was the third-place Olympic Trials steeplechaser from BYU, and he needed to attempt and achieve the Olympic standard if he wished to compete in Paris. To compete in the Olympics for Team USA, athletes must place in the top three and have the standard or world ranking quote. Corrigan flew to Philadelphia almost directly after competing in Eugene to attempt the standard. Corrigan received his fairytale ending where he went faster than the standard and can now be officially named to the Olympic team.

The official roster for Team USA will be announced on July 8th. Between now and the Olympic games, athletes may appear in Diamond League races to continue getting ready for the big stage. The track and field Olympics begin August 1st, starting with the 20k meter race walk.