Hurricane Alumni Invitational: Girl Version of Quincy Wilson? Meet Skyler Franklin, Fastest Sophomore in US History

The track and field realm is making the most headlines nowadays. The senior pro athletes are showing off their track skills at every meet since the start of 2024. On the other hand, the high schoolers are also chasing the podiums in the same way. One high school sophomore, Skyler Franklin, has loomed out in 2024 after she gave a stellar performance in the 200m. Without a doubt, she looked like the female counterpart of Quincy Wilson.

Her most awaited high school track meet debut happened in 2022, at the Louie Bing Classic. As a fifth-grader, she once stunned the crowd at the 2019 Georgia Relays, when her 400m dash finished in 55.29s. With two AAU Junior Olympic Games titles under her belt, the Somerset Academy Central Miramar student earned another recently.

Does Quincy Wilson have a deserving compeer?

In a recent X post shared by Skyler Franklin herself, the caption reads, “I am now the fastest sophomore is US History! I can’t believe I just ran 51.66”. Interestingly, in the 400m dash at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational, this sophomore of Quincy’s age clocked in at a record 51.66s. This was not only a gold podium for her but also a smash of the long-standing record previously set by Lynna Erby in 2015. The latter had then clocked in at 51.79s to become the fastest sophomore.

Now, the throne has a new queen. To celebrate, Rori Dunk took to his X handle to post, “Another 16-year-old sensation has made their name known….” After his back-to-back feats in 400m, 600m, and 800m, Quincy Wilson said, “I may go to the trials this summer.” Though unconfirmed, Franklin has the chance to join him in this endeavor. Her statement early this year stood as a testament to that.

Skyler Franklin’s stellar outdoor season opener

On March 23, 2024, one of Franklin’s X posts read her 200m position at one of the outdoor events in Miramar, Florida. The caption said, “I was a little tired & cold for the 200m, but I gave it what i had. Super proud of my outdoor season opener. I have lots of work to do, and PRs to obtain”. In that feat, she missed the gold by a fraction, but settled for the bronze, running 23.55.

The statement was enough proof of what she will bring to the table in the future. In 2021, she made her indoor debut with Rising Stars, winning in the 400m dash. With more such high school events to make waves at, both Wilson and Franklin will be in their best form this year.

READ MORE: Quincy Wilson Follows Up on 400m World Record With Another Impressive Feat Ahead of Paris Olympics 2024