Quincy Wilson, McKenzie Long and Other NCAA Athletes Who Beat Pros to Make Paris Olympics Team

Change is inevitable. Particularly so in sports, where the win-loss cycle functions unpredictably. At the 2024 US Track and Field Trials, many contenders perhaps experienced a similar fate as some of the nation’s fresh talent came to the fore and wiped out their opponents. Quincy Wilson, the 400m sprinting prodigy, clocked a 44.59s U-18 world record in the semifinals, trouncing luminaries like Michael Norman and Vernon Norwood. Despite ending up 6th in the finals, the Bullis High School speedster made it to Paris through his 4x400m relay team selection.

McKenzie Long, another NCAA phenom, raced ahead of the favorite Sha’Carri Richardson in the 200m dash finals at the Olympic Trials, coming third with a stunning 21.91. Edging the pros out of the league, the 23-year-old made her way to her Olympic debut, alongside Brittany Brown, who came second. But not just these names, a few others have joined the party.

Quincy Wilson, Mckenzie Long, and now Salif Mane

One after the other, NCAA athletes came in and rose to the occasion in Eugene. As per the latest X post by Track and Field Gazette, this time it was American athlete Salif Mane. With his feat at Hayward Field, Mane became the “first American man to hit the automatic Olympic qualification standard in the Triple Jump this year!” The FDU knight sealed his ticket to the 33rd Olympic Games with a gigantic 17.52m jump in the Triple Jump finals.

Not only was this whopping leap his personal best so far, but also met the Olympic standard time and added a shining gold medal to his collection. It further marked a significant improvement from the 17.28 he achieved in his first attempt. Moreover, on his path to success, the FDU champ ended up surpassing Tokyo Olympian Donald Scott and Triple Olympic medalist William Claye. While Scott still managed to land the bronze spot, Claye trailed far behind with his disappointing sixth finish.

The post further mentions that Mane won the NCAA title a few weeks back. Indeed, he did. At the NCAA National Championship outdoors, he was crowned the winner with his 17.14 marvel, which was his career best. Little did the star know that he would be outperforming himself a few days later, on such a prestigious stage. Nonetheless, he boasts a decorated collegiate background. With seven All-American honors and four First Team All-American Triple Jumper titles, he was surely at the top of his game.

Joining these athletic phenoms on the journey to Paris are a few other NCAA personalities who bested their opponents to claim victory.

NCAA stars that shined brightly in the ultimate test

Speeding her way to glory, University of Georgia sophomore Aaliyah Butler recorded a stunning 49.71 in the women’s 400m finals to strike silver and her Paris ticket. Up against professional sprinters, she put up her best show to conquer the finale. Earlier this season, Butler bagged her First Team All-America honor in the 400m.

Next up, Juliette Whittaker, a 2x NCAA champion, came in third in the women’s 800m event, clocking a personal best of 1:58.45. The Stanford star set a University record with this figure. Moreover, Northern Arizona University student Nico Young also took the bronze spot at the men’s 10,000 m event, with a timing of 27:52.40.

Joining them, Arkansas sophomore Rachel Glenn has qualified for Paris in the women’s high jump category. Her stellar 1.94m jump was enough for her to seal the deal and land a silver at the Trials. In a similar display of perfection, University of Southern California senior Jasmine Jones locked her Paris spot in the 400m hurdles. She took the bronze spot behind Anna Cockrell, with a 52.77s timing.

Therefore, not just Quincy Wilson, but a lot of young athletes have made it to the Olympic stage. But whether they keep up this winning streak will be seen in a few days. What do you think of these pro athletes in the making?