Concluding the 2024 US Olympic Track and Field Trials at Hayward Field with eleven finals packed into a 2 1/2-hour time frame, the event saw seven meet records set, with all but one occurring on the track.
Speculation arose about whether the schedule was orchestrated by NBC executives, but one thing is undeniable – the “Hour of Power” delivered an impressive spectacle for both spectators and viewers alike at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field.
NBC’s coverage commenced at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time, coinciding with the start of the men’s 5000 meters, where Grant Fisher and Abdihamid Nur engaged in a captivating battle in the latter half of the race.
Fisher, the former Stanford All-American, who claimed victory in the 10000 on the meet’s opening night, pushed himself to run a meet-record time of 13:08.85 to fend off Nur’s 13:09.01, requiring a blistering 2:58.85 final 1200 to secure the win.
Following shortly after, Brandon Miller of the Brooks Beasts from Seattle, who clocked a personal best of 1:43.73 in the semis, doggedly pursued Bryce Hoppel in the men’s 800-meter final but ultimately surrendered within the final 100 meters.
Hobbs Kessler, a member of the Olympic team in the 1500, staged a late surge, overtaking Miller but falling short of catching Hoppel. Hoppel set a meet record and personal best, completing the race in 1:42.77.
Kessler, the top qualifier from Friday’s semis at 1:43.71, continued to impress with another personal best of 1:43.64, while Miller clinched third place in 1:43.97, marking his second sub-1:44 performance at the Trials.
With just half an hour left in the Trials, nine women lined up for the 100-meter hurdles final, each possessing the Olympic standard of 12.77, ensuring three would secure their tickets to Paris.
Masai Russell triumphed, setting another meet record with a world-leading time of 12.25. Alaysha Johnson claimed second with a personal best of 12.31, while Grace Stark secured third also in 12.31.
“It was just confirmation that I’m exactly where I need to be,” Russell expressed. “I told myself I deserve to win, to be here, to be an Olympian… I’m an Olympic Trials champion and ready to be an Olympic champion next.”
The race sparked post-event discussions, questioning how it was feasible that three women ran under 12.40 yet none secured an Olympic slot.
Nia Ali, 2019 world champion, and Keni Harrison, former world record-holder, placed fourth (12.37) and sixth (12.39), respectively, signifying a shift in American women’s hurdling dynamics with six women finishing inside 12.40 in a historic occurrence.
Revisiting the women’s 1500 final, which mirrored the men’s 1500 finals’ depth, the top eight unleashed personal bests. Nikki Hiltz successfully defended her national title from the previous year with a tactically astute race, finishing strong in the last 200 meters to secure victory in a meet-record time of 3:55.33.
Mackay and St. Pierre followed closely, posting impressive times of 3:55.90 and 3:55.99, respectively. The top six women shattered the Trials record of 3:58.03 set by St. Pierre in 2021.
Approaching the penultimate event, Olympic silver medalist Rai Benjamin showcased a world-leading performance in the men’s 400m hurdles, setting a meet record with a stellar time of 46.46.
Amidst the electrifying atmosphere, Washington State alum CJ Allen clinched second place with a season-best time of 47.81, fending off Trevor Bassitt’s late push to secure third at 47.82.
Following the sensational track events, the focus shifted to the women’s 400m hurdles, where USA Track & Field icon Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone mesmerized the audience.
Just as she did during the World Championships on the same track two years prior, McLaughlin-Levrone left spectators in awe with a staggering time of 50.65, surpassing the previous record by 0.03. The audience at Hayward Field witnessed McLaughlin-Levrone break the world record four times throughout her illustrious career.
“I would love to dip under 50 at some point,” McLaughlin-Levrone shared regarding her aspirations. “I don’t know if that’s this year, I don’t know if that’s next year, but always chipping away, seeing what’s possible, and continuing to improve.”
Behind her, Anna Cockrell and NCAA champion Jasmine Jones delivered personal bests of 52.64 and 52.77, respectively, earning their spots in Paris. Shamier Little claimed fourth in 52.98, marking the first time four women finished under 53 seconds in any 400m hurdles race.
The lone field event meet record came from Maggie Malone-Hardin in the women’s javelin, as she launched a formidable 211-10 (64.58m) throw in the first round to secure victory decisively.
The attention then turned to Kara Winger’s quest, as she aimed to secure her fifth Olympic team spot by achieving the Olympic standard of 210-0 (64.00m), regardless of her final placing in the competition.
In the decisive round, Winger unleashed her best throw of the day, reaching 206-6 (62.94m), falling just over a meter short of the required standard. Madison Wiltrout sealed third place with a personal best of 200-8 (61.17m).
As it stands, Malone-Hardin stands as the sole American representative in the javelin event, with the possibility of a second thrower earning world ranking points when the “Road to Paris” rankings are released before July 7th.
Shifting focus to CJ Allen and Kara Winger, both hailing from Washington state, the day eight coverage highlighted their compelling narratives.
Allen, a North Mason High School product from Belfair, was visibly emotional in the mixed zone following his remarkable second-place finish in the 400 hurdles final.
“When I was ten years old, I told myself, ‘One day I’m going to be an Olympian,'” Allen recounted emotionally.
Reflecting on his journey, Allen expressed his immense joy at realizing his childhood dream, emphasizing the pressure and stress he endured during the past week and a half leading up to the event.
On the race itself, Allen referenced a photo from his college years at Washington State, where he and winner Rai Benjamin competed against each other when Benjamin was at UCLA before transferring to USC.
“I took it out hard like I always do. I knew I had to stay focused on my race pattern (especially in an outside lane). For me, it was all about execution. I’ve trained by myself for the last five years,” Allen remarked.
Delving further into his remarkable journey, Allen expressed his determination and confidence in clinching an Olympic spot, reiterating his unwavering belief in his capabilities despite any skepticism.
Switching gears, Kara Winger, a Vancouver native, announced her retirement following the competition, commending her experiences and the fulfillment she derived from the sport.
“I had a great time. It’s totally cool that I feel the way that I said I would; it’s totally good either way,” Winger reflected on her decision.
Sharing her journey post-retirement plans, Winger emphasized the importance of self-belief, trust in her technique, and the pursuit of excellence amidst challenges.
Winger expressed contentment in exploring new endeavors post-retirement, reflecting on her illustrious career and the satisfaction of fulfilling her curiosity.
Concluding the insightful reflections, Winger acknowledged the ebb and flow of her career, particularly highlighting the lessons learned from her stint as the world’s top javelin thrower in 2022.
