Quincy Wilson stole the spotlight at the Paris 2024 Olympics and became the youngest male of the Team USA in an Olympic track and field competition. At just 16, he dazzled in the 4x400m, proving he’s a rising star destined for greatness—even though he didn’t run in the finals. Therefore, it would only make sense that afterward he would dominate every race, or at the very least, the small ones. Well, hold on to your seats because what happened next was a jaw-dropping plot twist no one saw coming! When most people probably thought that it was set and done, Quincy Wilson was going to win it, came into the picture with Andrew Salvodon, and turned the tables in the most dramatic fashion.

In an electrifying showdown at the 2025 VA Showcase, Andrew Salvodon not only dethroned Wilson but completely dominated the field. From the start, Salvodon turned up the heat in the final stretch, crossing the finish line with an incredible time of 1:00.49. He also shattered the previous national record of 1:01.25 minutes, achieved by Will Sumner in 2022, making him the first high school athlete to achieve a time less than 1 minute and 1 second. Salvodon’s performance wasn’t just a victory; it was a moment that redefined the limits of what’s possible, carving his name into the record books as the fastest high school 500-meter runner ever. So here is everything to know about this rising track and field star!

Who is Andrew Salvodon?

Andrew Salvodon, the American-born rising star, has been turning heads with his record-breaking runs. Back in December 2024, he clocked an impressive 1:01.90 in the 500 meters, which is a record-breaking sprint and set the state record, and is also ranked US #1 in 500M, giving an understanding of why he is a rising star in his own. A senior at Bayside High School, Salvodon’s plan for the future is to remain on the track team and attend the University of South Carolina, something that he bragged about on social media. His unofficial personal best of 47.00 in the 400 meters last June was just a prelude to his most recent jaw-dropper, where he dethroned Olympic star Quincy Wilson!

Oh, there is so much more to Andrew Salvodon, and, as you may guess, this kid is simply unreachable! He is only 17, and yet he is writing his name down in the history books of track and field. On January 8, this speed demon simply went ballistic at the Beach District Meet, completing the 55-meter indoor race in a scorching 6.73 seconds. But wait, it does not end here, as on the same day, he completed a 300-meter dash in 33.80 seconds.

And of course, his incredible show at the 757 Showdown 2025 cannot be missed. In the 300m, he finished with a lightning-fast 34.43, and in the 500m, he clocked an impressive 1:03.42. This kid just doesn’t know how to take a break. Rolling back to June of the previous year, Andrew was on a different planet altogether. At the AAU Regional National Qualifier Meet, he completed the 400m in a lifetime best of 46.44—a race that all but placed him in the stars. Oh yes, June 2024 was certainly his month! He received the Male Athlete of the Year award from the Virginia Beach Sports Club. He also broke his school’s records just two months earlier, in April, by setting a new record of 1:04.53 for 500 meters.

After his recent monumental win, the buzz around Salvodon was undeniable. Swarmed by reporters and photographers, he shared his thoughts while still catching his breath: “I mean, the confidence boost and severity of this whole thing, it’s pretty high,” he said with evident enthusiasm as stated by ‘The Virginia Pilot.’ “I was just waiting for him to come up on me and then give it everything I got. And if he makes it, he makes it. If not, I was going to keep the lead.” Salvodon also spoke about his plan and said, “I’ve been working on my speed and my strength, so I wanted to make it to the break-in first. I knew if I could do that, I could probably hold the lead. So I did that.” By doing that, Andrew Salvodon was coined as one to look out for among the track and field athletes. But why is beating Quincy Wilson such a big thing?

Quincy Wilson: A rising star in the track world!

Quincy Wilson isn’t just your average teenager—he’s a record-setting, history-making sprinter. Though focused on the 400 meters, he gave the track a warning when he blazed the under-18 record twice in 2024 within two days by running the 400m in 44.66 on June 21st and 44.59 on June 23rd, both for the USA Olympics trial. By July, Quincy was not yet finished rewriting history books as he again broke the record for the same event by clocking in 44.20. Such awesome feats did not only bring him fame across the globe, but he is also a proud holder of both the American high school 400-meter records. Yep, this kid’s resume is already stacked.

Then came the moment that dreams are made of. The young sprinter Quincy achieved the position of the youngest male track and field Olympian in Team USA history at the age of 16 when he qualified for the 4x400m relay in the Summer Olympics 2024. Not only did he make an appearance, he went home as a Gold Medal winner! While he competed only in the heats, his contribution helped Team USA clinch the top spot, making him the youngest track and field Olympic gold medalist ever. And when a high schooler like Andrew Salvodon wins over someone with such a gilded past as Quincy, it’s not a victory—it’s a ‘wow’ moment that stuns the track world!