16-year-old Quincy Wilson is a rising star in the sport of track and field. Wilson, who recently completed his sophomore year of high school at the Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland, less than 15 miles from Washington, D.C. set two under-18 world records in the 400-meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
The 5’8”, 150-pounder, who also plays for Bullis’ football team, blazed 44.66 last Friday in his opening heat to smash the record set by Darrell Robinson in 1982, then lowered the mark in his semifinals round on Sunday clocking 44.59. “I’m feeling great,” he said exuberantly a day before Monday’s final. “I’ve never been this happy a day in my life on the track.”
The phenom was vying to become the youngest male U.S. track and field Olympian ever but ended up sixth in the finals at 44.94, a race won by Quincy Hall in 44:17. Michael Norman (44:41) and Chris Bailey (44:42) were second and third respectively to earn spots in the open 400-meters in Paris next month. But Wilson is likely to join them as part of the United States’ 4×400 meters relay contingent.
Unfortunately for reigning women’s 800-meters Olympic champion Athing Mu, she won’t have the opportunity to defend her title. The electrifying 22-year-old native of Trenton, New Jersey and the 2022 800-meters world champion, shockingly lost her footing among a cluster of runners midway through the event and abruptly fell onto the track in Monday’s finals. She rose to finish the race but had no chance to catch the pack, crossing the line in last of the nine competitors. Nia Atkins (1.57.36), Allie Wilson (1:58.32) and Juliette Whitaker (1.58.45) took the three Olympic spots.
Mu’s appeal was denied to the dismay of her coach Bob Kersee. “I’ve coached it, I’ve preached it, I’ve watched it,” he said to the Associated Press. “And here’s another indication that regardless of how good we are, we can leave some better athletes home than other countries have. It’s part of our American way.”
In the men’s 100-meters, 2023 world champion Noah Lyles was the victor to secure a trip to Paris. Lyles, 26, is also the 2023 200-meters world champion and is seeking a berth in that event as opening rounds begin today. Sha’Carri Richardson, who captured the women’s 100-meters world championship last summer, made her first Olympic team in winning the 100 at the Trials this past weekend. The 24 year old rolled to a 10.71 and will now set her sights on the 200 starting today.