RANDALLS ISLAND, New York, July 23–26 — Our coverage of the USA Outdoor Championships is divided into 5 parts: men’s track & field and women’s track & field, plus multis.
| Jump To Men’s Track Event Report: | ||||||||||
| 100 | 200 | 400 | 800 | 1500 | Steeple | 5000 | 10,000 | 110 Hurdles | 400 Hurdles | HMar Walk |
100 — Lyles As Fast As Ever
A WEEK PAST his 29th birthday, Noah Lyles made sure the world knew he should not be counted out in the 100. After winning World and Olympic titles in 2023 and ’24, he was relegated to bronze at last September’s World Championships, and that did not sit well with the flamboyant sprinter. But as he has done so many times in the past, he let his running take back control of the narrative, storming to a world-leading 9.79 (wind: +0.8) for his third national title in the event. “I think I made [the statement] that I’m still the world’s fastest man,” he said after matching the PR he ran to win Olympic gold in Paris 2 years ago.
In the first semi defending champion Kenny Bednarek had corralled Courtney Lindsey at 60m and won comfortably, 9.82–9.86 behind a healthy +3.2 wind. Christian Coleman (9.90) took the second section (+2.0) and Lyles, with a barely illegal breeze (+2.1), won the third from Ronnie Baker, 9.76–9.85.
An hour later Lindsey and Coleman had the best starts in the final. At halfway Lyles was no better than 5th, but by 70 meters his trademark late charge was in full force and he flew by the field for a comfortable margin of victory. “Technically, I think it was the best race I’ve had so far,” said Lyles.
Behind him, Bednarek and Baker slipped ahead of Coleman and were dueling for the runner-up spot. They both clocked 9.88, with Baker getting the edge by 0.005. Coleman (9.93) and Lindsey (9.97) also broke 10.00.
The exuberant Lyles teased that he has yet to hit his full potential. “I’m not even doing what I know I can do,” he said. “We’re not at peak, we’re not at perfect technique. We’re nowhere near that, so I’m gonna keep asking for more. Why settle for less?”
The 32-year-old Baker recorded his fastest time since setting his PR 9.83 in the ’21 Olympic semis. “It’s been a journey. I’ve been doing this for 11 years now and it’s full of ups and downs,” said Baker, who admitted that he fell into “a really depressive time in my life,” after finishing 5th in the Tokyo final following a dominant leadup to those Games. “For three years I just wasn’t running fast because I was picking myself apart trying to figure out, ‘Why haven’t I gotten a medal yet? Why aren’t I running well when it counts?’ It beat me up, but I’m in a place now where I just have so much joy.” /Rich Sands/
MEN’S 100 RESULTS
FINAL (July 24; wind +0.8)
1. Noah Lyles (adidas) 9.79 =PR (WL, AL) (=6, x A);
2. Ronnie Baker (adidas) 9.88;
3. Kenny Bednarek (Nike) 9.88;
4. Christian Coleman (Nike) 9.93;
5. Courtney Lindsey (Nike) 9.97;
6. Brandon Hicklin (Nike) 10.00;
7. Lawrence Johnson (unat) 10.03;
8. ZaChaeus Beard (unat) 10.03 PR;
9. Maximilian Thomas (On) 10.10.
HEATS (July 23)
I(-0.3)–1. Coleman 9.96; 2. Hicklin 10.08; 3. Cameron Crump (unat) 10.22; 4. Ty Davis (Aub) 10.22; 5. Dekell Minor (Ms) 10.26; 6. Lance Lang (unat) 10.26; 7. Javonte’ Harding (unat) 10.31; 8. Nigel Green (GSTC) 10.49; 9. Dylan Doss (WiOsh) 10.49.
II(0.8)–1. Lyles 9.97; 2. Baker 10.00; 3. Johnson 10.11; 4. Beard 10.19; 5. Kyree King (Nike) 10.28; 6. Taylor Banks (unat) 10.37; 7. Tevijon Williams (unat) 10.38; 8. Victor Smith (unat) 10.43.
III(0.2)–1. Bednarek 10.04; 2. PJ Ize-Iyamu (Or) 10.14; 3. Ajani Dwyer (PennSt) 10.18; 4. Cooper Bibbs (unat) 10.20; 5. Pjai Austin (NikStarA) 10.22; 6. Kalen Walker (Ia) 10.25; 7. Malachi Adams (unat) 10.41; 8. Jordan Urrutia (Ms) 10.44.
IV(-0.1)–1. Lindsey 10.06; 2. Thomas 10.16; 3. Marcellus Moore (New York AC (NYAC)) 10.20; 4. Josephus Lyles (adidas) 10.26; 5. Maso Lawyer (Az) 10.31; 6. Brendon Stewart (StarA) 10.34; 7. Kai Smith (unat) 10.42;… dq—Ja’Darien Parker (ECar).
SEMIS (July 24)
I(3.2)–1. Bednarek 9.82w; 2. Lindsey 9.86w; 3. Johnson 9.94w; 4. Davis 10.11w; 5. Lang 10.12w; 6. Dwyer 10.14w; 7. Walker 10.15w; 8. Lyles 10.16w; 9. Adams 10.20w.
II(2.0)–1. Coleman 9.90; 2. Hicklin 10.02; 3. Beard 10.06; 4. Ize-Iyamu 10.07; 5. Crump 10.13; 6. Minor 10.13 PR; 7. Harding 10.26; 8. King 10.26; 9. Banks 10.32.
III(2.1)–1. Lyles 9.76w (a-c: =7, =12 A); 2. Baker 9.85w; 3. Thomas 9.96w; 4. Moore 10.09w; 5. Austin 10.10w; 6. Lawyer 10.15w; 7. Stewart 10.23w; 8. Williams 10.35w; 9. Bibbs 12.17w.
200 — Kaalund Makes Up For Lost NCAA Opportunity
MAKE NO MISTAKE, USC’s Garrett Kaalund won the USATF 200, a substantial achievement for a sprinter whose only previous open nationals experience was an appearance in the heats of the ’24 Olympic Trials when he was a Nebraska soph. Even so, Noah Lyles managed to dominate the headlines.
Lyles, the 4-time world champion in the event, eased through his heat with a 20.51 into a 1.9 wind. That wasn’t the fastest. Brandon Hicklin had run 20.43 into a 2.8, and Kaalund had hit 20.46.
For the final, Lyles drew lane 6. Hicklin had 5, Kaalund 8. From the start, Lyles led but did not dominate. His lead at 100 was perhaps a half-stride. He hit the straight readying himself for his trademark finishing drive, but instead was stopped by a cramp. That left Hicklin in the lead with Kyree King a close 2nd.
Kaalund, in 4th at the top of the straight, began his drive. He caught Hicklin at 180 and his momentum was such that he had a 2-plus meter gap at the finish. His 20.04 came with a 1.5 tailwind. Hicklin and Kaalund’s former USC teammate Max Thomas both ran 20.29s, with Hicklin getting the nod by 0.002. Lyles walk/jogged it across the line in 50.88, managing to keep one streak going — as a pro, he has never failed to finish a race.
Said Kaalund, 22, “I never thought I’d become a national champion in my entire career. So this is very shocking. I’m extremely grateful. And it lets me know that I’m working a lot harder.”
Self-effacing words from the ’26 Trojan senior who at the NCAA Indoor blasted a 19.95 Collegiate Record clocking for 200, No. 2 on the indoor ATL after the 19.92 of ’93 world outdoor champion Frankie Fredericks.
After a promising start to the outdoor season (9.90w and 20.10w at Mt. SAC in April plus a 45.24 lap in early May), Kaalund was sidelined by injury for the rest of the collegiate campaign. Yet he earned his victory here wearing a USC uni — shades of Walter Dix, who won the ’08 OT furlong after finishing his eligibility at Florida State with an NCAA win 3 weeks earlier.
Lyles told NBC, “Everything was going fine. I came off the turn and I just felt a grabbing sensation. And I was like, ‘Yeah, this is the time to stop. There’s no reason to push this.’ It was somewhat of a cramp.
“I’m fine. I just need to be stretched out and get some electrolytes in my system. I’ll be good.” /Jeff Hollobaugh/
MEN’S 200 RESULTS
FINAL (July 26; wind +1.5)
1. Garrett Kaalund (USC) 20.04;
2. Brandon Hicklin (Nike) 20.29 (20.288);
3. Max Thomas (On) 20.29 (20.290);
4. Kyree King (Nike) 20.42;
5. Trelee Banks (unat) 20.45;
6. Javonte’ Harding (unat) 20.61;
7. Jordan Urrutia (Ms) 20.81;
8. Paul Mosley (unat) 20.87;
9. Noah Lyles (adidas) 50.88.
HEATS (July 25)
I(-1.7)–1. Kaalund 20.46; 2. Thomas 20.70; 3. Jordan Coleman (unat) 20.85; 4. Rashun Fountain (ECar) 21.04; 5. ZaChaeus Beard (unat) 21.04; 6. Josephus Lyles (adidas) 21.14;… dnf—Dakari Charlton (Hous).
II(-1.9)–1. Lyles 20.51; 2. King 20.71; 3. Urrutia 20.72; 4. Mosley 20.79; 5. Johnny Goode (unat) 20.79; 6. Tevijon Williams (unat) 21.22; 7. Laurenz Colbert (Bay) 21.33.
III(-2.8)–1. Hicklin 20.43; 2. Banks 20.65; 3. Harding 20.67; 4. Deveyon Blacknell (GSTC) 20.97; 5. Lance Lang (unat) 21.08; 6. Kai Smith (unat) 21.22.
400 — Bailey Gets Title, Robinson Nets DQ
THE 400 WAS A GREAT RACE, thrilling all the way to the final strides. Unfortunately, the DQ of the apparent winner for a lane violation threw a bit of a damper on the event.
Last year’s runner-up, 26-year-old Chris Bailey came in as the formchart favorite. The Olympic relay gold medalist had run a PR 44.06 in Paris a month earlier. He ran 45.14 in the heats, while Khaleb McRae had the fastest time of 44.65. Olympic champion Quincy Hall ran a non-qualifying 46.47 in his heat. Missing from the competition were the four ahead of Bailey on the U.S. list: Jonathan Simms, Jacory Patterson, Justin Braun and Rai Benjamin.
In the final, Elija Godwin got out fastest, leading at 10.96 and 20.93. At that halfway point, McRae ran 2nd, Bailey 3rd and Justin Robinson 4th. On the last curve, McRae fought his way to the lead, a stride ahead of Bailey.
The two led the charge down the final stretch, with Oklahoma alum Demarius Smith attacking from the outside, and Robinson starting his drive from 4th. As McRae fought to hold his form together, Bailey, to his left, kept chiseling away at the margin.
Just when it looked like Bailey had the necessary momentum, Robinson flew past to steal the win in 44.31. Bailey ran 44.39, catching McRae’s 44.41, with Smith at 44.54.
Within minutes, officials disqualified Robinson for taking too many steps on and over the white line on the final curve.
“It hurt,” said Bailey of his effort. “I’m happy with that performance.” Of Robinson’s DQ, he said, “It’s rough. I truly feel bad for him.” /Jeff Hollobaugh/
MEN’S 400 RESULTS
FINAL (July 25)
1. Chris Bailey (Nike) 44.39
(11.14, 10.14 [21.28], 11.03 [32.31], 12.08) (21.28/23.11);
2. Khaleb McRae (adidasPure) 44.41
(10.96, 10.00 [20.96], 11.22 [32.18], 12.23) (20.96/23.45);
3. Demarius Smith (Currently) 44.54
(11.36, 10.17 [21.53], 11.13 [32.66], 11.88) (21.53/23.01);
4. Noah Williams (adidas) 45.25;
5. Bryce Deadmon (unat) 45.33;
6. Randolph Ross (unat) 45.39;
7. Elija Godwin (adidas) 45.80;
8. Johnnie Blockburger (Currently) 45.96;
… dq—Justin Robinson (unat) (11.03, 10.28 [21.31], 11.10 [32.41]).
HEATS (July 23)
I–1. McRae 44.65; 2. Deadmon 45.27; 3. Blockburger 45.64; 4. Jacob Parent (unat) 45.70 PR; 5. Will Sumner (adidas) 45.91; 6. Brian Faust (NYAC) 46.50; 7. Malik Franklin (Bay) 47.67.
II–1. Bailey 45.14; 2. Godwin 45.36; 3. Ross 45.64; 4. Jevon O’Bryant (unat) 46.13; 5. Paul Dedewo (AltisAz) 46.21; 6. Grant Nelson (BethelMn) 46.73; 7. Eric Hemphill (unat) 47.08; 8. Logan Davis (PittSt) 47.59.
III–1. Robinson 45.49; 2. Williams 45.55; 3. Smith 45.55; 4. TJ Tomlyanovich (unat) 45.71; 5. Johnny Goode (unat) 46.24; 6. Quincy Hall (adidas) 46.47; 7. Jonah Vigil (unat) 47.35; 8. Jake Palermo (PennSt) 47.61.
800 — Lutkenhaus Controls Race In Season Finale
HE ISN’T INVINCIBLE yet, but high schooler Cooper Lutkenhaus sure gave off a juggernautish vibe in taking his first national outdoor title.
A year after he shocked the world with a runner-up finish at this meet (and went on to Tokyo for the WC), he moved to the top of the podium with a convincing 1:43.48. He easily took down Wes Ferguson (1:44.55) and Hobbs Kessler (1:45.00).
Of course, Lutkenhaus has run much faster, and so have many others. Like many other races, this field was diluted of some big names due to this being a season without a global team for which to qualify. It also lost a few big names in the semis, with Donovan Brazier and Isaiah Jewett failing to advance.
Still, at 17 Lutkenhaus ran with a confidence that made this feel inevitable.
Sean Dolan (52.07) led Wisconsin’s Andrew Casey (52.16) at the bell, followed closely by Lutkenhaus (52.26) and Kessler (52.36). Lutkenhaus then made a decisive move, running the third 200 in 25.90 and passing Dolan down the backstretch.
Kessler covered the move, but then Lutkenhaus threw down a 12.60 final bend that left no doubt who was winning this day. He closed in 12.72.
Kessler would fade badly (13.51) to 3rd, passed by Ferguson (12.63). Lutkenhaus’ lead was so substantial that one might have expected some sort of record was about to happen.
Compared to last year’s breakthrough race, Lutkenhaus said, “I think this one might be a little more exciting, just because I’ve been working all year for this. I really wanted to get a U.S. indoor and U.S. outdoor champ. That was my main goal. It’s good to achieve that.”
Don’t look for Lutkenhaus in Europe. This is his final race of the season. /Lee Nichols/
MEN’S 800 RESULTS
FINAL (July 26)
1. Cooper Lutkenhaus (Nike) 1:43.48 (x, 4 AJ)
(24.91, 27.35 [52.26], 25.90 [1:18.16], 25.32) (52.26/51.22);
2. Wes Ferguson (Under Armour) 1:44.55
(25.33, 27.30 [52.63], 26.48 [1:19.11], 25.44) (52.63/51.92);
3. Hobbs Kessler (adidas) 1:45.00
(25.53, 26.83 [52.36], 26.05 [1:18.41], 26.59) (52.36/52.64);
4. Christian Jackson (VaT) 1:45.05
(25.05, 27.44 [52.49], 26.21 [1:18.70], 26.35) (52.49/52.56);
5. Andrew Casey (Wi) 1:45.32;
6. Camden Marshall (AtlTC) 1:45.87;
7. Sean Dolan (AtlTC) 1:45.90;
8. Shane Cohen (Nike) 1:46.70;
9. Carver Morgan (unat) 1:46.88.
HEATS (July 24)
I–1. Lutkenhaus 1:45.83; 2. Kessler 1:45.93; 3. Jackson 1:46.16; 4. Brannon Kidder (BrkB) 1:46.41; 5. Lloyd Frilot (unat) 1:46.70; 6. Luciano Fiore (AtlTC) 1:46.71; 7. Dayton Carlson (AzSt) 1:48.19.
II–1. Ferguson 1:45.17; 2. Casey 1:45.59; 3. Morgan 1:46.24; 4. Cohen 1:46.27; 5. Patrick Hilby (NBal) 1:46.38; 6. Tinoda Matsatsa (Gtn) 1:46.39; 7. William Cuthbertson (EmpireE) 1:49.35.
III–1. Dolan 1:46.11; 2. Marshall 1:46.40; 3. Miles Brown (Mi) 1:46.90; 4. Donavan Brazier (NikeSwoosh) 1:46.93; 5. Isaiah Jewett (Nike) 1:47.13; 6. Darius Smallwood (unat) 1:48.43; 7. Abel Teffra (Hoka) 1:48.74; 8. Landon Bott (UtSt) 1:51.17.
1500 — Nathan Green With A New Tactic
ONE CAN BE FORGIVEN for thinking the USATF 1500 title race looked an awful lot like a typical Big 10 kickers’ clash. A first lap in a deadly slow 67.67 will have that effect. Same for an initial 800 in 2:15.03, with all 13 competitors bunched in only 0.78 seconds.
That’s when Nathan Green made his move. Fresh off a Euro tour that got him wins in Ostrava and Zagreb and a mile PR of 3:48.05 behind Josh Kerr’s WR, the Washington alum was anxious to add the USATF outdoor crown to the indoor one he took in March.
Green covered the next lap in 57.03 (3:12.19), his closest pursuers Vincent Ciattei, Gary Martin and Eric Holt. As the pace intensified, the 23-year-old stayed a half-stride ahead. In the final 100, finally he and Ciattei pulled away from the crowd and hammered each other to the line, Green looking at his pursuer as he leaned to gain the victory by a mere 0.05. The last lap of his 3:50.27 took 51.64, his last 800, 1:51.43. Northern Arizona’s Rheinhardt Harrison closed well for 3rd (3:50.65) ahead of Martin’s 3:50.74.
It was the slowest winning time since Lopez Lomong’s 3:50.83 in ’10 (and the second slowest since ’51).
Still, a win’s a win: “It means a lot,” said Green. “I made a move that I’ve never made before with 600 to go. I was just trying to see if I could make something different work, and it worked out really well, and I’m just really proud of it.
“There’s a lot of aspects of racing that you can’t really plan for or you can’t really teach them and when they’re there, they’re there and you just got to see them and go for it. That was what today was.” /Jeff Hollobaugh/
MEN’S 1500 RESULTS
FINAL (July 25)
1. Nathan Green (adidas) 3:50.27 (12.58, 25.32, 51.64);
2. Vincent Ciattei (UArmDS) 3:50.32 (12.60, 25.34, 51.59);
3. Rheinhardt Harrison (NnAz) 3:50.65 (12.68, 25.39, 51.52);
4. Gary Martin (BrkB) 3:50.74 (12.71, 25.62, 52.03);
5. Liam Murphy (NikeSwoosh) 3:50.79 (12.36, 24.97, 51.58);
6. Luke Houser (AtlTC) 3:50.87; 7. Nick Plant (VaT) 3:50.91; 8. Wes Porter (UArm) 3:50.98; 9. Reuben Reina (Wa) 3:50.99; 10. Eric Holt (EmpireE) 3:51.26; 11. Emanuel Galdino (IaSt) 3:51.44; 12. Carter Cutting (Hoka) 3:51.65; 13. Joe Waskom (adidas) 3:51.99.
HEATS (July 23)
I–1. Houser 3:44.02; 2. Plant 3:44.29; 3. Murphy 3:44.30; 4. Waleed Suliman (BrkB) 3:44.34; 5. Sam Prakel (adidas) 3:44.60; 6. Kasey Knevelbaard (UArmDS) 3:44.96; 7. Jaxson Hoey (adidas) 3:45.97; 8. Simeon Birnbaum (Or) 3:46.01; 9. Davis Bove (UArmDS) 3:46.01; 10. Collin Boler (Prin) 3:48.05; 11. Connor McCormick (Prin) 3:49.82; 12. Isaac Basten (BAA) 3:50.47.
II–1. Green 3:42.91; 2. Martin 3:42.94; 3. Porter 3:43.14; 4. Abel Teffra (HOKA) 3:43.14; 5. Brannon Kidder (BrkB) 3:43.74; 6. Craig Engels (Nike) 3:43.85; 7. Benjamin Allen (EmpireE) 3:44.00; 8. Galdino 3:44.36; 9. Austen Dalquist (unat) 3:44.57; 10. Jeffery Rogers (Or) 3:44.59; 11. Jack Crull (Currently) 3:44.89;… dq—Sam Ellis (On).
III–1. Ciattei 3:41.30; 2. Waskom 3:41.56; 3. Cutting 3:41.59; 4. Reina 3:41.61; 5. Harrison 3:41.81; 6. Holt 3:42.20; 7. Shane Streich (GSTC) 3:42.72; 8. Aidan Ryan (AtlTC) 3:42.83; 9. Ryan Fowkes (unat) 3:42.87; 10. John Reniewicki (UArm) 3:43.13; 11. Damian Garcia (Chico) 3:46.78.
Steeple — Mountain Makes Up For NCAA Race
OK, HE RAN an 8:11.92 in his first steeple this season, the second-fastest time in the field, so Virginia’s Nathan Mountain had to be regarded as a legit contender. But in defense of our formchart and its omission of him, consider than he only managed 9th at the NCAA. Many of the other runners in the field seemed to be doing a better job of rounding into shape for the Big Apple.
The chief name to watch had to be Matt Wilkinson, who had moved to No. 7 in U.S. history with his PR 8:09.56 in Rabat, followed by solid runs in three other DLs. But the ’24 Olympian ran into problems out there and barely got into the top 10 at any point. Instead it was 4-time U.S. Ranker Duncan Hamilton who controlled the front and drove a punishing pace, leading through kilos of 2:42.91 and 2:48.61 (5:31.52).
On the final turn, Mountain pulled alongside Hamilton coming out of the final water jump and pulled ahead coming off the turn. He attempted to move into lane 1 to deprive Hamilton of that route, but it almost backfired when he stumbled on the final barrier. Hamilton then moved out to pass but didn’t have enough gas.
Instead, it was Carson Williams who finished best with a frantic sprint, but Mountain (“I knew I had to lean,” indeed, so far he tumbled to the track) prevailed at the finish, 8:13.81 to Williams’ PR 8:13.88. Hamilton took 3rd in 8:14.05.
“Everything I’d done, those two years leading up to NCAAs, was all about getting 1st,” said Mountain, 23. “And on the day, I wasn’t feeling 1st place. And because of this 1st-place-or-bust mentality, I imploded. It wasn’t anything to be proud of. So, I guess having a different mentality today just really changed a lot.” /Jeff Hollobaugh/
MEN’S STEEPLE RESULTS
FINAL (July 25)
1. Nathan Mountain (HOKA) 8:13.81;
2. Carson Williams (unat) 8:13.88 PR;
3. Duncan Hamilton (NikeOTC) 8:14.05;
4. Daniel Michalski (USAF) 8:17.78; 5. Parker Stokes (BrkB) 8:19.36; 6. Cooper Cawthra (UArm) 8:20.52 PR; 7. James Corrigan (BYU) 8:21.05; 8. Benjamin Balazs (Or) 8:22.48; 9. Yasin Sado (unat) 8:24.52; 10. Matthew Wilkinson (UArmDS) 8:24.94; 11. Anthony Rotich (NikeUSAr) 8:35.08; 12. Jason Renze (unat) 8:35.18; 13. Jackson Shorten (Prin) 8:35.93;… dnf—Benard Keter (NikeUSAr).
HEATS (July 23)
I–1. Balazs 8:31.04; 2. Williams 8:31.49; 3. Cawthra 8:31.58; 4. Sado 8:31.80; 5. Wilkinson 8:32.09; 6. Corrigan 8:32.20; 7. Brian Boler (Prin) 8:37.91; 8. Nathan Davis (Army) 8:39.93; 9. Joey Berriatua (Asics) 8:43.64; 10. Christopher Collet (RITC) 8:46.36; 11. Lance Sobaski (Driftless) 8:46.49; 12. Gable Sieperda (FitnessSp) 8:56.74; 13. Julius Diehr (unat) 8:57.85.
II–1. Stokes 8:23.04; 2. Keter 8:23.65; 3. Hamilton 8:24.13; 4. Mountain 8:24.50; 5. Michalski 8:24.89; 6. Shorten 8:25.43 PR; 7. Renze 8:26.40 PR; 8. Rotich 8:32.47; 9. Peter Visser (unat) 8:35.09 PR; 10. Logan Garnica (UtSt) 8:45.42; 11. Kenneth Rooks (Nike) 8:46.26; 12. Quinton Orr (IaSt) 8:47.02; 13. Lucas Knepp (Ia) 9:03.35.
5000 — 1500 Runner-Up Ciattei Pounces
WITH BOTH 10,000 champ Woody Kincaid and Grant Fisher late scratches, the 5000 became a ready opportunity for someone to win their first USATF title. In the field, only Cooper Teare had ever scored an outdoor nationals win, the 1500 in ’22.
Teare led early for the first half, but not fast. The first 1600 took all of 4:32.13. Sean McGorty took over and brought the crowded pack through 3000 in 8:41.36. Finally, on the last mile, the pace quickened, thanks to Oklahoma State’s Ryan Schoppe. He took the pace from 66s to 63, then did two sub-60 circuits.
Schoppe still led at the bell but had Teare, Sam Prakel, Thomas Ratcliffe, Kasey Knevelbaard and Vincent Ciattei all ready to pounce. Ciattei had moved up from 12th on the previous lap and began moving on the backstretch. Knevelbaard took over the lead on the final turn, with Ciattei charging again.
The 31-year-old Ciattei, who had placed 2nd in the 1500, had a devastating gear that the others didn’t. Both Teare and Prakel sprinted hard, but he easily handled them for a 13:46.75 win. His last lap took 54.36; his last 1600, 3:57.60.
“I really wanted to leave with a title,” said Ciattei, whose previous claims to fame included leading off Virginia Tech’s 2018 NCAA Indoor DMR win and capturing the ’22 USATF road mile.
“I didn’t think it would be in the 5K, but I switched right into that mindset. I was, in a way, even more confident that I was gonna have the best speed. So I thought I could just sort of let the race play out and then be patient. When I saw the gaps, I was like, ‘OK, I gotta stay awake, I gotta stay engaged.’” /Jeff Hollobaugh/
MEN’S 5000 RESULTS
(July 26)
1. Vincent Ciattei (Under Armour/Dark Sky) 13:46.75 (64.57, 65.51 [2:10.08], 71.61 [3:21.69], 71.50 [4:33.19], 71.75 [5:44.94], 71.82 [6:56.76], 71.75 [8:08.51], 67.97 [9:16.48], 64.89 [10:21.37], 62.52 [11:23.89], 59.64 [12:23.53], 56.51 [13:20.04], 26.71)
(13.26, 26.71, 54.36, 3:57.60);
2. Cooper Teare (Nike) 13:46.88
(13.34, 54.89);
3. Sam Prakel (adidas) 13:46.93;
4. Thomas Ratcliffe (NikeSwoosh) 13:47.29; 5. Anthony Camerieri (Saucony) 13:47.47; 6. Kasey Knevelbaard (UArmDS) 13:48.14; 7. Ryan Schoppe (OkSt) 13:49.63; 8. Acer Iverson (unat) 13:53.26; 9. Sean McGorty (Nike) 13:54.37; 10. Robert Liking (HOKANAZE) 13:54.40; 11. Drew Bosley (NikeSwoosh) 13:56.27; 12. Austen Dalquist (unat) 13:57.10; 13. Chandler Gibbens (Sauc) 13:57.88; 14. Colton Sands (HOKA) 13:58.47; 15. Derek Johnson (unat) 14:08.91.
10,000 — Kincaid’s Still Got That Kick
“YOU CLOSED IN 25.9 the last 200 — [you’re] 33 years old — how do you still have that kick?”
Woody Kincaid, minutes after winning his third national 10K title — but first since ’23 — could only smile at the question in the mixed zone and shake his head. “I mean, I don’t know. I think I’ve had it since I was 17; I still have it when I’m 33 and it’s a good feeling.”
It didn’t hurt Kincaid that it wound up being an historically slow 30:13.66 race (see below). With temps in the upper 70s, the tempo fluctuated between a light and medium jog for 15 laps, ranging from 73 to 86 seconds. Then just before 6K (19:38.17), Fisher sprinted around everyone into the lead.
He covered the next lap in 60.98 then settled into 63s and 64s with the followers eventually shrinking to Kincaid and Drew Bosley. But he let it slip to 67.10 and 66.64 for circuits 22 and 23. On the final lap, Bosley kicked first, but Kincaid (54.88) launched into overdrive on the backstretch.
“When [Fisher] went with 10 laps to go, I thought, ‘He can’t hold this for 10 laps,’” said Kincaid afterward. “I think Grant went a little bit too early, didn’t really expect me to be in the kind of shape I’m in. And when I was attached with 600 to go, it was like, I think Grant, he knew. He knew.”
At the ’21 Olympic Trials — two years after he’d unexpectedly burst on the scene with a 12:58.10 time for 5K — Kincaid and Fisher were Bowerman TC teammates, and Kincaid used a 53.47 finish (a blinding 25.8 final 200) to win a 27:53 race. In ’23, he finished in 54.84, in a race where Fisher had tried to break away with 1200 left, but wound up 4th.
The AR-holder and Paris double bronze medalist is now 1-for-6 in U.S. 10,000 Championships. He had wanted the first lap of his surge to “be real” and to “sting,” but admitted he couldn’t hold the 64s, then “lost momentum with 50 to go and was tightening up quite a bit.”
It was the slowest winning performance at a U.S. championship since ’59, when Max Truex won in 31:22.4. Even the ’88 race — a 5-man affair won by Steve Taylor in 30:08.64, the last time the Olympic Trials and U.S. Championships were held separately — wasn’t quite this slow.
But it didn’t matter for Kincaid. “That kick is still there and I think it’s still deadly.”/Steve Underwood/
MEN’S 10,000 RESULTS
FINAL (July 23)
1. Woody Kincaid (NikeSwoosh) 30:13.66 (finish: 12.83, 25.95, 54.88, 1:58.64, 2:31.32, 4:12.38);
2. Grant Fisher (Nike) 30:14.46 (13.36, 26.66, 56.04, 1:59.48);
3. Drew Bosley (NikeSwoosh) 30:20.60 (16.47, 32.03, 62.23;
4. Chandler Gibbens (Sauc) 30:25.37; 5. Acer Iverson (unat) 30:25.82; 6. Muluken Tewalt (Or) 30:27.13; 7. Eric Casarez (ThunderR) 30:27.38; 8. James Mwaura (BAA) 30:28.07; 9. Evan Bishop (Or) 30:49.39; 10. Nicholas Bendtsen (unat) 30:53.44; 11. Aiden Britt (Ms) 30:57.44; 12. Peter Walsdorf (Syr) 30:58.69.
110 Hurdles — Tinch By An Inch Over Upstart Franklin
WORLD CHAMP Cordell Tinch now has a new recipe for winning a national title — a feat he has now accomplished a year after hurdling to the top of the global podium in Tokyo:
You come in relaxed, just planning to have fun; you tell everyone you’re mainly there to test your new Nike Superfly spikes; you don’t decide until almost the last minute that you’re going to run the final; and, oh, you make sure you compete in the long jump final 3 days earlier.
“I’ve always hurdled best when I’m doing both,” Tinch said afterward, though he admitted the ideal of doubling was “kind of a joke I threw out when the schedule first came out.”
Tinch also didn’t concern himself who wasn’t there — like new WR setter Ja’Kobe Tharp or red-hot late scratch Jamal Britt — or the still extremely tough field around him, including three young starters in the final with PRs between 12.95 and 13.05. Yes, Tinch had clocked 12.87 last year during his epic campaign, but only 13.06 so far in ’26 with just one win in 8 DL and CT races.
The most stunning of the youngsters in the field was Bradley Franklin. Fifth in that incredible NCAA meet at 13.19, but with three windy marks between 13.04 and 13.10 this year, the 20-year-old soph from non-power conference Samford University had a career performance in leading the heats with a wind-legal 13.04.
In the final, Franklin blasted out of the blocks and relentlessly powered down the middle of the track, seeming en route to another great mark and the biggest win of his life. But Tinch, on his right and looking the best he has all year, stayed on Franklin like a magnet and reeled him in over the final meters.
They crossed nearly together with twin 13.0s. But the huge, almost sheepish grin on Tinch’s face revealed he didn’t need to wait to know he’d won, even as the timers separated their 12.993 and 12.997 performances. The way Franklin looked up at the scoreboard with desperate longing showed that he probably knew, too, though he still had had a monster breakthrough weekend.
Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Tinch reminded everyone he’s still the world champ. “It just shows that everything that I’m working on in order to be ready for September is going the right way. You know, we’re slowly getting to where we want to be.” /Steve Underwood/
MEN’S 110 HURDLES RESULTS
FINAL (July 26; wind +0.5)
1. Cordell Tinch (Nike) 13.00 (12.993);
2. Bradley Franklin (Samf) 13.00 PR (12.997);
3. Kendrick Smallwood (Tx) 13.11;
4. Jamar Marshall (Currently) 13.12;
5. Johnny Brackins (On) 13.26 PR;
6. Le’Ezra Brown (Ga) 13.29;
7. Eric Edwards (unat) 13.30;
8. Malachi Snow (TxT) 13.36;
9. Kai Graves-Blanks (Or) 13.52.
HEATS (July 26)
I(1.4)–1. Franklin 13.04 PR; 2. Edwards 13.24; 3. Brown 13.26; 4. Connor Schulman (unat) 13.44; 5. Blake Vier (Northwood) 13.85; 6. Parker Duskin (unat) 14.08.
II(-0.5)–1. Smallwood 13.15; 2. Marshall 13.21; 3. Brackins 13.35; 4. De’Vion Wilson (unat) 13.54; 5. Darius Brown (unat) 13.54; 6. Chris Serrao (unat) 13.71; 7. Jason Agyemang (CPTC/TS) 13.80; 8. Tyler Graves (unat) 14.06.
III(0.0)–1. Tinch 13.12; 2. Snow 13.32; 3. Graves-Blanks 13.40; 4. Luke Schroeder (WiLC) 13.41; 5. Joel Nyatusah (TxT) 13.67; 6. Edward Williams (CPTC/TS) 13.71; 7. Freddie Crittenden (PhoenixTC) 15.38.
400 Hurdles — Robinson Runs Away With It
WITH WORLD & OLYMPIC gold medalist Rai Benjamin taking a break from the barriers this year, there was a guaranteed new national champion for the first time since Benjamin won the first of his 6 titles in ’19. Chris Robinson gladly stepped into the role with an aggressive run that gave him a winning margin of nearly a second.
In the heats the 25-year-old Alabama alum went out strong and cruised home in 48.99 ahead of CJ Allen (49.18). Texas prep star Andrew Jones finished 6th in 50.23 and did not advance. Caleb Dean (48.47) followed the same strategy as Robinson in the second section, leading wire to wire before jogging across the line. James Smith (48.90) overhauled Reyte Rash (49.10) on the run-in off the final barrier.
The next day, Robinson was clearly looking to improve on last year’s 3rd-place finish, again going out hard from the gun and assuming a clear lead over Dean and Rash down the backstretch. Just past 200m Allen had moved into 2nd, but he couldn’t make a dent in Robinson’s lead. In fact, Robinson continued to extend his margin the entire way and sprinted off the final barrier to claim a decisive win in 47.61.
“I think I just made a statement where I showed everybody that I’m here,” said Robinson, the ’23 NCAA champion. “I feel like all the rest of the 400 hurdlers already knew I was on the scene, and I’m just making a statement to the rest of the track nation that Chris Robinson is here.”
Smith, who finished 5th, 6th and 7th at the last three national championships, was just 6th at the top of the homestretch, but surged over the last three barriers to take 2nd in 48.53. Dean (48.66) lost momentum after smashing the eighth hurdle but held on for 3rd while Rash (48.75 PR) was 4th and Allen (49.09) faded to 5th. /Rich Sands/
MEN’S 400 HURDLES RESULTS
FINAL (July 26)
1. Christopher Robinson (adidas) 47.61 PR
(5.81, 3.59 [9.40], 3.59 [12.99], 3.74 [16.73], 3.88 [20.61], 3.99 [24.60], 4.19 [28.79], 4.55 [33.34], 4.38 [37.72], 4.59 [42.31], 5.30);
2. James Smith (AzFlames) 48.53 PR
(5.92, 3.80 [9.72], 3.83 [13.55], 3.95 [17.50], 4.05 [21.55], 4.29 [25.84], 4.29 [30.13], 4.41 [34.54], 4.26 [38.80], 4.41 [43.21], 5.32);
3. Caleb Dean (unat) 48.66;
4. Reyte Rash (unat) 48.75 PR;
5. CJ Allen (Asics) 49.09;
6. Noah Langford (GSTC) 49.47 PR;
7. Jevon Williams (GSTC) 49.48;
8. Devin Nugent (Aub) 50.09.
HEATS (July 25)
I–1. Robinson 48.99; 2. Allen 49.18; 3. Nugent 49.67; 4. Langford 49.95; 5. Aldrich Bailey (Nike/USAr) 50.02; 6. Andrew Jones (TxCollective) 50.23;… dq—Ja-Van Poole (unat).
II–1. Dean 48.47; 2. Smith 48.90; 3. Rash 49.10; 4. Williams 49.84; 5. Josiah Johnson (NnAz) 51.08; 6. Andres Langston (Duke) 51.21; 7. Finnean Andrews (unat) 59.99.
Half-Marathon Walk — New Distance, Long Streak
NICK CHRISTIE’S ODYSSEY through the archives continues. The 34-year-old U.S. Airman, who had already strolled to 39 USATF titles in the last decade — over lengths from a mile to 50K (31M) — and collected gold medals at the last 7 USATF Outdoor Nationals, did it again.
But his eighth at Outdoor Nationals took a little longer… in the newest event on the meet slate. This time it was the longest footrace — running or walking — ever held at the Nationals — a meet whose history began in 1876. And it represented yet another Christie milestone.
With the Half-Marathon (21.1K) the only walk now on the LA 2028 program — goodbye 20K, goodbye 50K, goodbye that gimmicky Paris walk relay — USATF brass installed the Walk Half in the Outdoor Nationals, too.
Christie crushed the field over the 52-lap, 300-meter trek. No one was close to his 1:31:57 walkover win over double-lapped Jordan Crawford (like Christie, a Missouri Baptist grad).
Christie hasn’t lost to a fellow American in eons and easily did it again. It was slower than his American Record 1:28:35 at Poděbrady, Czechia, in May, but still good enough to leave his challengers laps back. Crawford held on for the silver in 1:36:17 with fellow U.S. Airman Michael Mannozzi 3rd and A.J. Gruttadauro struggling home 4th through adductor pain. Behind them: three DQs.
“The half is not that much different than the 20K,”said Christie. “I just hope it catches on.”
The track world traditionally relates to marathon running marks — full or half. Christie’s walk time would likely beat about 85% of a typical half-marathon city race running field. With 40 national walk golds to his credit (trailing only Ron Laird, Tim Seaman and Henry Laskau on the all-time charts) Christie would appreciate the respect his performances merit — but rarely earns.
But c’est la vie, he’s always known. In August, next up for Nick — both in Rochester, New York — are a world 2M walk record bid on the 29th, and his marriage to Miranda Melville, a frequent USA National Team walker, the next day. /Elliott Denman/
MEN’S HALF-MARATHON WALK RESULTS
(July 24; track—simultaneous with women’s race)
1. Nick Christie (NYAC/USAF) 1:31:57.2 (20:49, 21:30 [42:19.10], 22:07 [1:04:26.13], 22:47 [1:27:12.74], 4:44);
2. Jordan Crawford (Raleigh Walkers) 1:36:17.2;
3. Michael Mannozzi (USAF) 1:50:51.6;
4. AJ Gruttadauro (Shore) 2:03:52.9;… dq—Lucien Beardsley (unat), Jason Cherng (USAr), Cameron Nocton (RalW). □
