Young Rising Athletes to Look Out for at the US Track and Field Olympic Trials

The land of America has always been known for giving birth to extraordinary sporting talents. In the track and field, names like Florence Griffith-Joyner, Jesse Owens, Allyson Felix, Carl Lewis, and Noah Lyles are ones that reverberate loud and clear. Each of these legends made themselves known by their performances in the Olympics. And the road to the Olympics goes through the necessary rite of passage, i.e. Olympic trials.

Like the previous years, this time as well, the US Olympic track and field trials will feature some raw talents who will be eager to compete against the crème de la crème and find their place on the qualified list. So, before the 2024 US Olympic track and field trials set their camp in Hayward Field this week, let’s have a quick view of all the young guns who will be ready to take down big names. 

These surging men’s track and field stars are a must-watch in the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials

In a richly filled talent pool, the first name that comes to the fore is Quincy Wilson. The 16-year-old sprinter from the Bullis camp has some extraordinary timings on his resume. Just a few days ago, the teenage phenom defended his 400m New Balance Nationals title by finishing his run in 45.13 seconds. That timing keeps him ahead of sprinters like Jacory Patterson. However, his qualifying timing in the US track and field Olympic trials remains 45.19 seconds in the 400m event. He repeatedly obliterated that timing in several contests. 

In the Puma East Coast contest, he registered his personal best of 45.17 seconds in the 400m event. However, his capability extends beyond that, as in the Penn Relays this year, his spilt timings ticked to be 44. 37 seconds and 44.69 seconds. In Hayward Field, the fans could expect better as Quincy added, “I was just dreaming about it [the Olympics trials] a couple of nights ago…I think I’m ready for it.” He will have to run alongside the names like Michael Norman and Vernon Norwood. The next name on the list will be Erriyon Knighton. 

The 20-year-old athlete has restricted himself from appearing in many contests this year. Rather, his sprint met with his beast mode in the Florida relays. There, in the 4x100m event, the quartet dropped the world-leading 37.67 seconds timing and Erriyon generated a raw pace at the third position. Before that, he achieved the fastest 200m debut in the short course. The US Olympic track and field trial will present him in front of Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek in the 200m event. Yared Nuguse will be the next name on the list. 

The middle-distance runner earned his entry in the 1500m event because of his timing achieved in the Prefontaine Classic last year. In this season, he has yet to appear in the 1500m outdoor track. However, in other non-Olympics events like in Mile, his results are quite flashy too. Now let’s move on to the women’s category. 

Women athletes Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, McKenzie, Parker Valby, and others are young and daring

The first one on the list shall be Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The two-time Olympic champion’s Midas’ touch this season worked in her favor, after making a comeback. She will enter the 400m hurdle event riding on her time of 52.70 seconds. Noteworthy that timing earned her the top podium in the HBCU Pro Classic a few days ago. As far as her fitness is concerned, the 24-year-old is in her best shape right now. And she is not going to be satisfied with anything less than gold in Paris. In the US track and field Olympic trials, Sydney will be the cynosure of all eyes. 

So will McKenzie Long. The NCAA triple crown champion recorded the world lead in the 200m event a few days ago. Furthermore, her resilience has earned her praise from legends like Justin Gatlin. But in Eugene, her job won’t be easy because of Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas’ entry in the same event. But if McKenzie could repeat her NCAA final performance in the trial, the needle will be on her side. 

This month, Parker Valby replaced her own 5000m (14:52.18) NCAA record with her new one. Subsequently, in the 10000 m (31:46.09)event as well, she claimed fame to be the record holder. Ultimately, in both 5k and 10k trial events, she will try to get her Olympic berth in Eugene. 

Apart from these names, Brittany Brown (200m champion in the Oslo Diamond League), Anavia Battle (the runner-up in the 200m event in Suzhou Diamond League 2024), and Jacious Sears (the current 100m leader in the women’s category) would turn the eyes of the communities. However, let’s wait until June 21-30 to witness the on-field action. Who is clinching glory? Time will tell.