THIS TIME Erriyon Knighton reached the podium’s top step. In making his third national team, the 19-year-old Floridian — 3rd at the ’21 Trials and runner-up a year ago — dominated the last 50m of the final to claim his first national championship in the deepest half-lapper in history. Six men broke 20 for the first time ever.
Through the rounds, Christian Coleman established himself as a legit contender, winning his heat comfortably in 20.06 a day after taking 2nd in the 100, and then setting a season’s best 19.93 to pace the semis, just ahead of Texas Tech’s NCAA runner-up Courtney Lindsey (19.94) and Fred Kerley (19.95). Kenny Bednarek edged Knighton, 20.02–20.03, in the other semi.
In practically still air (-0.1), the final got off with Coleman, in lane 7, blasting out of the blocks, catching Lindsey (in 8) and Kerley (9) halfway through the curve. The ‘19 world 100 champ was the clear leader when he hit the straight (10.20), with Bednarek (10.29) leading the chase in lane 5.
Knighton (6) was a close 3rd at halfway (10.31) and gradually eased his way to the lead as Coleman started to fade. After 150 it was no contest. Knighton won comfortably in 19.72, the second fastest U20 time ever, behind his own WJR 19.49 from last year.
“Last year I was trying to rush it coming down the homestretch, and this year I made sure I kept it nice and cool coming down the homestretch,” Knighton said of his mindset. He was pleased with how his weekend played out. “In the rounds I pretty much came out and jogged, and when the final came I turned it on.”
Bednarek (19.82), who hadn’t raced since May while dealing with a hamstring issue, prevailed over Lindsey (19.85 PR) for the runner-up spot, with Kerley (19.86) nearly crashing the party in 4th, his first loss of the year. As reigning WC champ in the 100, he’ll go to Budapest in that event.
(Three-time reigning 200 champion Noah Lyles used his Wild Card status and skipped this race to focus on the 100 — where he finished 3rd.)
Florida’s Robert Gregory (19.90) and Coleman (19.95) clocked the fastest-ever times for 5th and 6th.
“We got us a good squad going over there [to Budapest],” said Knighton, who took bronze as part of an all-American podium at the WC last year. “We gonna try to make the same thing happen as last year and get the sweep.”
MEN’S 200 RESULTS
FINAL (July 09; wind –0.1)
1. Erriyon Knighton (adidas) 19.72 (x, 3 WJ, AJ;)
2. Kenny Bednarek (Nike) 19.82;
3. Courtney Lindsey (TxT) 19.85 PR;
4. Fred Kerley (Asics) 19.86;
5. Robert Gregory (Fl) 19.90;
6. Christian Coleman (Nike) 19.95;
7. Kyree King (Nike) 21.89;
8. Cameron Miller (unat) 1:11.97.
(best-ever mark-for-place: 5-6)
(lanes: 2. King; 3. Miller; 4. Gregory; 5. Bednarek; 6. Knighton; 7. Coleman; 8. Lindsey; 9. Kerley)
(RT: 0.178 Coleman; 0.182 Kerley; 0.184 Knighton; 0.192 Bednarek; 0.197 Lindsey & King; 0.203 Miller; 0.206 Gregory)
HEATS (July 08)
I(1.5)–1. Knighton 20.33; 2. Bednarek 20.45; 3. Cameron Rose (Clem) 20.52; 4. Connor Washington (Ar) 20.73; 5. Trayvion White-Austin (Az) 21.06.
II(0.1)–1. Kerley 20.23; 2. Brandon Carnes (unat) 20.40; 3. Austin Kresley (Ia) 20.44; 4. Jeremiah Curry (AzSt) 20.45; 5. Sam Blaskowski (WiLC) 20.92; 6. Josephus Lyles (adi) 20.94.
III(0.8)–1. Coleman 20.06; 2. Lindsey 20.18; 3. Elijah Morrow (AthT) 20.36; 4. Marqueze Washington (unat) 20.59; 5. Brice Chabot (UTSA) 20.86; 6. Michael Gizzi (unat) 21.07;… dnf—Kamden Jackson (Bay).
IV(2.0)–1. Gregory 20.00; 2. C. Miller 20.13 PR; 3. King 20.19; 4. Demarius Smith (unat) 20.46 PR; 5. David Dunlap (NnAz) 20.85; 6. Evan Miller (SC) 20.86; 7. Jae’Len Means (unat) 21.74.
SEMIS (July 09)
I(1.0)–1. Bednarek 20.02; 2. Knighton 20.03; 3. Gregory 20.15; 4. C. Miller 20.17; 5. King 20.24; 6. Rose 20.39 =PR; 7. Curry 20.43; 8. Washington 20.74.
II(-0.1)–1. Coleman 19.93; 2. Lindsey 19.94; 3. Kerley 19.95; 4. Carnes 20.28; 5. Morrow 20.33; 6. Kresley 20.42; 7. Washington 20.71; 8. Smith 20.73.