The VA Showcase 2025 was expected to be another milestone for Quincy Wilson. With a personal best of 1:01.27 in the 500 meters, and just shy of Will Sumner’s national high school record, the 17-year-old from Bullis School was the favorite to claim another historic feat. However, things were waiting to unfold in a different manner in the unpredictable competitive sphere. In a turn of events that shocked the track world, it was Bayside High School’s Andrew Salvodon who stole the spotlight from the youngest US track Olympian. And Salvodon not only bested Wilson but also set a new national record in the process.

Running in the outside lane, Salvodon surged past Wilson in the final stretch. The Virginia Beach runner crossed the line in a blistering 1:00.49, breaking Sumner’s 2022 record by nearly a second. Wilson, running just to his inside, clocked 1:02.49. As the crowd at the Virginia Beach Sports Center erupted, a stunned yet elated Salvodon soaked in the moment. He had not only become the fastest high schooler ever in the 500m but had done so by defeating an Olympian on what once was Wilson’s home turf.

Andrew Salvodon on beating Quincy Wilson on his own turf

Catching up with FloTrack after the race on January 17, 2025, Salvodon stated, “Well, this used to be his own turf. It’s mine now.” Reflecting on the significance of his victory, he further added, “I’ve been training on it, I’ve been doing everything I could on this, on Virginia. So, I mean, home turf or home court, whatever you want to call it, it feels good to beat an Olympian. Never thought I’d race one until college or after that. But overall, everything that comes with this is amazing. I’m proud to have it.” Well, what many might not be aware of is the fact that Virginia Beach was once the home ground for Quincy Wilson too.

Wilson, originally from Chesapeake, Virginia, spent his early years training in the state before his parents relocated to Maryland to enroll him at Bullis School in Potomac. His rise to fame as a young track sensation made him a familiar name in Virginia’s track community. But Salvodon, fueled by the chance to compete against one of the best, had no intention of letting that history dictate the race outcome. Moreover, the win that Salvodon secured standing in his own home turf made it even more special for the star.

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The Bayside track star further spoke on how he was well aware of Wilson’s caliber and thus made sure that he wasn’t under-prepared when he entered the meet. “Knowing who I’m going against and how big his status is, I just decided to cut it off, just let go of everything that was going around Quincy,” Preparation was key for him. Salvodon meticulously studied Wilson’s running style, analyzing videos and comparing them with his own technique. 

Andrew fine-tuned every aspect of his race strategy, ensuring he was ready for the moment. He confessed, “I’ve been watching videos of how he runs, I pay attention to how I run. I do everything to make sure I’m good. So at the end of the day, I trained myself the best I could, and this is where it got me.” With his record-breaking performance, Salvodon has announced himself as a force to be reckoned with in high school track. And on a track that once belonged to Wilson, he made it clear, Virginia Beach has a new 500m king. However, before the race unfolded Quincy foresaw the game differently as he shared his thoughts just a day before the high school meet.

Andrew Salvodon’s impeccable time shattered Quincy Wilson’s hopes for season opener 

17-year-old Quincy Wilson had one clear target at the VA Showcase 2025. And that was the U.S. high school national record in the 500m. After falling short by just 0.02 seconds last year, he returned to the track with unfinished business. “It’s been a long season, so I’m just trying to better myself here for the national record. That’s the spot,” Wilson stated ahead of the race, making his intentions crystal clear. However, when the moment arrived, the record chase took an unexpected twist.

As the race unfolded, Wilson surged into an early lead, igniting the crowd’s anticipation. But the script changed quickly when Bayside’s Andrew Salvodon matched his pace and then surged ahead. Wilson, who had been counting on the competition to push him forward, had foreshadowed this very challenge. “I have a lot of great competitors in the field. I think they’ll help me push me into where I want to be. Push me to limits that I’ve never reached before.”

His thoughts were also more introspective and more measured this time.  “For me, tomorrow, my goal is just to better myself. I’ve been training for two months, and my goal is just to better myself,” he emphasized before stepping onto the track. Instead of fixating on records, he focused on self-improvement, a shift from his usual bold declarations. Yet, even in this mindset, the underlying ambition was clear. But, unfortunately, as he was overtaken by Salvodon, he faltered. Thus, despite his PB being 1:01.27 in 500 meters he timed 1:02.49 in the race.