The track is HOT.
Okay, it’s actually quite pleasant by Eugene-in-June standards, with temperatures in the high 70s and a pleasant breeze that always seems to be a tailwind in Hayward Field. But the performances laid down last night in Day 8 of the Olympic Trials sure heated up the stadium — even in events where we’re not on finals yet.
For the first time in history, three men broke 13 seconds in the same 110m hurdles race as Grant Holloway picked up his second national title, made his second Olympic team, and clocked the fourth-fastest performance in history ahead of Freddie Crittenden and Daniel Roberts’s lifetime bests. Five men broke 20 seconds in the 200m semifinals led by Noah Lyles’s wind-aided 19.60, and another epic battle between Gabby Thomas and Sha’Carri Richardson is set up in the women’s 200m final.
While middle-distance rounds can sometimes get tactical, they sure didn’t tonight. It took 4:05.36 to make the final of the women’s 1500m, and the “heavy hitters” heat did not disappoint with Nikki Hiltz making a statement with a 4:01.40 win and five finishes at 4:02.14 or faster. The 1500m final will be absolutely stacked, and in the mixed zone competitors were suggesting that it may make times well under 4 minutes just to make the team.
In the men’s 800m, it’s clear that qualifying for the Games in the 1500m has lifted a weight off Hobbs Kessler’s shoulders, as he seems to be absolutely elated in each round of racing and led all semifinal qualifiers with a huge personal best of 1:43.71. Kessler skipped the 1:44s entirely as his PB heading into this weekend was 1:45.07.
It’s now officially the weekend and, bittersweetly, our final two days of action, so make sure you don’t miss any of these incredible competitions over the last few finals. If we’ve learned anything form the action we’ve seen so far, we’re in store for something very, very fast in multiple events.
CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for day three of the Olympic Trials include Nico Young, Payton Otterdahl, Kendall Ellis, and Matthew Wilkinson.
LIVE SHOWS
Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.
TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.
LIVE MEET COVERAGE
Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.
MORNING RUNS
CITIUS MAG and New Balance will be hosting group runs on Sunday, June 23rd at 8 a.m. ET; Tuesday, June 25th at 8 a.m. and Saturday, June 29th at 7:30 a.m. Come on by to our pop-up next to Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream shop to meet for some easy morning miles.
All paces are welcome. We’ll be giving away shirts, hats and more. Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to try all of the latest and greatest from New Balance. We’ll also have Olipop, coffee, games and cold plunges to enjoy afterward.
Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/
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Freddie Crittenden is an accomplished American hurdler, specializing in the 110m hurdles. Known for his quick reflexes and agility, he has competed on the international stage, earning recognition at events such as the World Championships and the USATF competitions.
Kendall Ellis is an accomplished American sprinter specializing in the 400 meters. Known for her explosive speed and strong finishes, she has represented the United States at various international competitions, including the World Championships. A standout athlete during her collegiate career at the University of Southern California, Ellis has continued to build on her success as a professional athlete.
Nikki Hiltz is a prominent American middle-distance runner specializing in the 1500 meters. They have been a standout performer in national and international competitions, known for their resilience and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Hiltz has achieved significant milestones including strong showings at the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships and has represented the United States in various international meets.
Grant Holloway is an elite American hurdler and sprinter specializing in the 110 meters hurdles. He is a multiple-time World Champion and has secured his place as one of the fastest hurdlers in history, often known for his explosive speed and impeccable technique. Holloway also competes in the 60 meters hurdles and has shown prowess in indoor competitions.
Noah Lyles is an American sprinter born on July 18, 1997, known for his exceptional speed and versatility across multiple track events. With personal bests that include a stunning 9.79 seconds in the 100 metres and 19.31 seconds in the 200 metres, Lyles is regarded as one of the top sprinters in the world, earning recognition in both individual and relay competitions.
