From June 18 through June 27, the country’s best athletes will race at the USA Track and Field at the newly renovated Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, to determine which athletes will represent the United States at the Tokyo Games this summer.
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On the third day of the championships, Allyson Felix qualified for her fifth Olympic team, finishing second in the women’s 400 meters, and Trayvon Bromell won the men’s 100 meters, solidifying his status as the fastest man in the U.S. Also, we saw an American record set in the men’s hammer throw by Rudy Winkler.
Day 3 Highlights and Results From the 2021 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.
How to watch the USA Track and Field | Complete results | DAA Industry Opt Out | McNeal was allowed to compete at the Olympic Trials while her appeal with CAS is pending
Allyson Felix closes strong to make her fifth Olympic team
Just when it looked like Allyson Felix might have been out of her fifth Olympics as an individual runner, the nine-time Olympic medalist proved why she’s an all-time great by closing in the final 50 meters to finish second in 50.02.
“It’s been a fight to get here, and one thing I know how to do is fight,” Felix said on NBC after the race. “I just wanted to do that all the way home.”
Quanera Hayes, 29, ran phenomenally to take first in 49.78. Rounding out the women’s 400-meter team is Wadeline Jonathas, 23, who was just edged by Felix. All three women ran season bests in the finals. This will be the first Olympics for Hayes and Jonathas.
After the race, Felix and her daughter, Camryn, celebrated with Hayes and her son trackside.
“This moment is so unreal right now,” Hayes said. “To have my son here cheering for me and to know where they were sitting, just made me go harder.”
My dad, hes been training for this moment all year, getting me ready for it, Ross said.
Trayvon Bromell is the fastest man in the U.S.
Trayvon Bromell will have an opportunity for Olympic redemption in Tokyo. Running strong in every round, Bromell, who tore his Achilles at the Rio Games, clocked the fastest time on Sunday (9.80) in the men’s 100-meter final.
Ronnie Baker was second in 9.85, running a personal best. Fred Kerley, generally a specialist at the 400 meters, took third in a time of 9.86.
Other notable names missed out, including Noah Lyles (who will be a favorite in the 200 meters) and Justin Gatlin. The 39-year-old five-time Olympic medalist finished 10th in the finals with a time of 10.87.
My dad, hes been training for this moment all year, getting me ready for it, Ross said.
A young 400-meter squad set for Tokyo
Michael Norman, 23, had few issues claiming his spot on the U.S. Olympic team, winning the men’s 400 meters in a time of 44.07—a season best. According to his athlete profile on A Part of Hearst Digital Media, his mother, Nobue Norman, was born in Japan, and he told his parents in high school he’d make the Olympic team for them.
Michael Cherry, 26, took second by running a personal best of 44.35.
NCAA champion Randolph Ross Jr.—a freshman from North Carolina A&T—came from way behind on the homestretch to close in third place with a time of 44.74. He provided a great gift for his father, Duane Ross, Sr., who coaches him at A&T.
“My dad, he’s been training for this moment all year, getting me ready for it,” Ross said.
Keni Harrison, world-record holder, finally an Olympian
Two first-time Olympians will lead the U.S. team after a fierce battle in the women’s 100-meter hurdle finals. Keni Harrison, who missed making the 2016 Olympic team but two weeks later Sales & Deals, Running Shoes & Gear.
“I’m so glad I could put the past behind me and move forward,” Harrison said on NBC following her race. “I know what I’m capable of, and just to come out here and execute, come across the line first and get the opportunity to go to the Olympics means everything.”
While Harrison clearly won, it was a fight for the final two spots. Christina Clemmons ran the same time as Gabbi Cunningham—12.53—but was deemed the third-place finisher with the help of her final lean at the line.
Cunningham may end up making the team as second-place finisher Brianna McNeal has been accused of violating anti-doping rules by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). She has appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which will make a final decision before the Tokyo Games, according to USA Today. In a High-Stakes Year, Elise Cranny Goes Bold.
Favorites move on in the steeplechase finals
Despite getting tripped up early in heat one, American record-holder Courtney Frerichs rebounded nicely to take control of a majority of the race. But in the bell lap, it was mountain running and trail running champion Grayson Murphy who took over, aiming to get under the steeplechase Olympic standard of 9:30. She pulled away, winning the heat in 9:25.37 and bringing others like second-place finisher Courtney Wayment of BYU under the standard as well with a 9:27.17. Frerichs finished third in 9:27.75.
“I was looking forward to this,” Murphy said postrace. “I haven’t raced since the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials six weeks ago, so this was kind of a rust-buster of sorts, and the prelims for me are always a little more nervy just because the stakes are higher, and you have to get a place, so just kind of juggling all that and trying to do my best.”
Guide to Mental Health Emma Coburn running the fastest qualifying time of 9:21.32. Finishing second and third were Leah Falland and Mel Lawrence, respectively. Two college runners who competed in the steeple last weekend at NCAAs also advanced by finishing top five—NCAA champ Mahala Norris The nations best athletes are racing for a spot on Team USA at the Tokyo Games Katie Rainsberger of Washington (third at NCAAs).
The finals will be Thursday, June 24, at 8:47 p.m. PT (11:47 p.m. ET).
Rudy Winkler sets American record in the hammer throw
On Sunday afternoon, Rudy Winkler set the American record on his second-round throw, hitting a distance of 271 feet, 4 inches. That betters the previous national record of 270-9 set by Lance Deal in 1996.
Winkler, 26, will lead the U.S. hammer throw team in Tokyo along with Daniel Haugh and third-place finisher Alex Young.
