The third day of the 2024 U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials concluded with six more finals decided. The women’s heptathlon began and 18 more athletes punched their tickets to Paris.
Women’s Heptathlon
Heptathlon 100m Hurdles
Michelle Atherley took an early lead in the heptathlon standings with a 12.73 second time in the hurdles. Erica Bougard, who represented the United States in the heptathlon at the 2021 Olympics, finished fourth in the event with a time of 13.28 seconds.
Heptathlon High Jump
Anna Hall recorded the highest jump of the event by clearing a 1.82-meter-high bar. Her performance earned her the top spot in the rankings after the morning events concluded. Chari Hawkins finished second in the event by clearing a bar 1.79 meters high to give herself the second-place ranking in the heptathlon.
Heptathlon Shot Put
Hawkins and Hall swapped their first and second positions in the overall heptathlon standings. Hawkins finished second in the shot put with a third attempt of 14.67 meters. Hall’s 14.35-meter second attempt landed her in third in the event and second overall. Jenelle Rogers’ 15.76-meter throw was the best of the evening.
Heptathlon 200m
Atherley had the best marks of the 200-meter with a 23.30 finish. Hall finished first in her heat, as did Avery McMullen.
Hall ended the first day of the heptathlon in first position in the overall standings. Hawkins stands in second, while Taliyah Brooks is currently third overall.
What to watch next:
The women’s heptathlon will conclude on Monday with the final three events taking place. The long jump will kick all of Monday’s events off at 10:00 a.m.
Women’s Hammer Throw Finals | 5:00 p.m.
The top eight performances of the initial field of 12 continued after three attempts. Current Oregon athlete, Shelby Moran, ended in ninth place. Brooke Andersen — who holds the best mark in the world in 2024 — received three straight red flags.
Annette Echikunwoke recorded a season-best throw of 74.68 meters on her first attempt to become the champion in the Olympic Trials. The 2019 World Champion DeAnna Price and Erin Reese finished in second and third to secure their spots on Team USA.
Men’s Pole Vault Final | 5:40 p.m.
Sam Kendricks set a meet record with his 5.92-meter clearance. Kendricks won bronze at the 2016 Olympics but had to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics after he tested positive for COVID-19. He now finds himself back on Team USA, with Chris Nilsen and Jacob Wooten joining him.
Men’s 100m Semifinal | 5:48 p.m.
The men’s semifinal kicked off Sunday’s track events. Fan favorites Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman finished first in their semi final heats, as well as Courtney Lindsey. Fred Kerley also advanced and former Duck Kyree King was just 0.004 away from a non-automatic qualifier.
Women’s 800m Semifinal | 6:11 p.m.
The first of the three semi final heats was eventful, to say the least. Louisiana State University’s Michaela Rose appeared to have separated herself from the rest of the field with about 200 meters to go. It was reigning gold medalist, Athing Mu, who took the lead in the final 100 meters to secure first in her semifinal. Kate Grace then pulled ahead of Rose just before crossing the finish line, with Rose falling to the ground as the two collided. Rose still advanced with the best time of the non-automatic qualifiers.
Raevyn Rogers, Oregon class of 2018, clinched an automatic qualifier in the second semifinal. The NCAA Indoor and Outdoor champion, Juliette Whittaker, also moved on to the final.
What to watch next:
The women’s 800-meter final is set to be the last event before a two-day break at Hayward. It’s scheduled to begin at 7:32 p.m. on Monday.
Men’s 400m Semifinal | 6:35 p.m.
For the second time in the 2024 Olympic Trials, the Hayward crowd seemed both shocked and excited to see 16-year-old Quincy Wilson claim his spot in another round of 400-meter competition. The high school sophomore secured another personal best — this time, it was 44.59 seconds.
Quincy Hall ran a season-best time to finish atop the semifinal standings. The 2022 World Champion Michael Norman also advanced.
What to watch next:
The world will find out who the final three are and if Wilson makes his first Olympic team on Monday. The final is set to begin at 6:59 p.m.
Men’s Javelin Throw Final | 6:40 p.m.
Curtis Thompson’s first throw, measured at 83.04 meters, was not only a season-best but the best of the competition. Capers Williamson also secured a season-best on his third attempt. Donavon Banks was the third athlete to finish in the top three.
Women’s 400m Final | 6:58 p.m.
The trio of Kendall Ellis, Aaliyah Butler and Alexis Holmes each recorded personal bests to clinch their spots on Team USA. Ellis and Holmes each won gold medals at the 2023 World Championships, while Butler just concluded her sophomore season at the University of Georgia.
Men’s 3000m Steeplechase Final | 7:07 p.m.
Kenneth Rooks was the first to cross the finish line in the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase. Matthew Wilkinson followed his winning performance with an 8:23.00 finish and Birmingham Young’s James Corrigan rounded out the three set to represent the U.S. in the event.
Men’s 100m Final | 7:49 p.m.
Lyles ended the day in style. His new personal best, 9.83 seconds, improved on his time of 9.85 which he set on June 1, 2024.
Kenny Bednarek and Kerley weren’t far behind Lyles and joined him on the 100-meter team. Coleman — who is number one in the most recent 100-meter world rankings by World Athletics — missed out on a spot to Paris by 0.05 seconds. Coleman took a moment to himself on the track, shaking his head as Lyles and company paraded down the backstretch.
Top quotes from Lyles, Bednarek and Kerley’s press conference:
Bednarek on his journey in the 100 meters:
“I always knew I had this in me. It was just a matter of time of when I was going to make the team. Last few years I was dealing with stuff but this year I was healthy…I’ve always stepped up to the table and had to get a PR but sky’s the limit. I got a lot left in the tank.”
Lyles on the atmosphere:
“What’s funny is as we’re getting in the blocks, I swore I heard somebody yell at the top of their lungs, ‘Let’s go Noah. Let’s go Fred. Let’s go Kenny.’ Oh wow, look at that. All the people that they hyped up, we’re all on the podium now. That’s pretty crazy. It was definitely electric. It was definitely responsive. I think they all just need a little bit of a jolt. Sometimes they get a little too into the vibe and as soon as you pay attention to them and interact with them, they get really excited and that’s what I love to see.”
Lyles on how his confidence in the 100 meters compares to the 200 meters:
“I’d say from this week, I’m pretty confident. Every time I did a block start there wasn’t a lot of thinking. It was kind of just doing. It was a lot closer to how I feel at the 200 which is what I’ve been waiting to feel like for a really long time now. Every time that I get that feeling it makes the race that much more confident.”
Lyles on having Snoop Dogg walk out with him:
“He came down after the first round of the 100. I knew that NBC was setting that up a while ago and so I didn’t know if I was gonna be able to meet him because I had the race. It was pretty cool. He came over. He’s a really helpful guy. He’s really cool, really chill. I remember I asked him to walk over with me and he was like, ‘For sure.’ And then, when we were in the car, I was like, ‘Hey man, do you mind opening the briefcase.’ And he was like, ‘I got you.’ That’s really cool to see somebody come out here and be honest and be himself. I really respect that.”
What to watch next:
The first half of the 2024 Olympic Trials concludes on Monday with six more finals. The women’s heptathlon will kick off events, beginning with the long jump at 10:00 a.m.
Continue following The Daily Emerald’s coverage of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials for Track and Field on X, @ODESports.
