Eugene, Ore. ( Associated Press) — Noah Lyles pulled off teen sensation Ariane Knighton to win the 200 meters at the US Track and Field Championships on Sunday.
“I do what it takes to win,” declared Lyles, who pointed to Knighton as he hit the tape at 19.67 seconds.
Liles won the 200 at the 2019 World Championships in Doha and bronze at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. He will be challenged in the world again by Knighton in Eugene next month.
“The job isn’t over,” said Knighton, just 18.
Temperatures in the mid-90s greeted athletes for the final day of competition at Hayward Field. Due to the heat of the day, the programs went on as before.
The top three finishers in each event will be on the US team for the World Championships, provided they have met the required performance standards.
Olympic gold medalist Aething Mu was challenged by Aji Wilson in the final 100 m, but pushed to finish first in the 800 in 1:57.16.
“It was a fast field, we were all together the whole race. I felt like we’d still be together in the last 100, I just wanted to do my best to finish strong,” Mu said. “Aji was right on me, I had to push a little harder to get in line.”
Shakari Richardson failed to qualify for Sunday’s 200 final, his only remaining chance to make the American team for the world. Her time of 22.47 seconds in the semi-finals put her out of contention. He did not comment to reporters afterward.
Richardson also failed to make it to the ground for Friday’s 100m final, which was won by Melissa Jefferson of Coastal Carolina. Richardson’s failure to qualify for the final in either race was somewhat of a surprise, given his form in recent meetings.
With her ever-changing hair color and long nails, Richardson grabbed attention with a statement-making victory at last year’s Olympic Trails 100. But he was suspended due to a positive test for marijuana, which kept him off the team. Tokyo Games.
Kentucky’s Abby Steiner, who set a college record in 200 at this year’s NCAA championships, won the competition in 21.77, the leading time in the world this season and a personal best.
Daniel Roberts won the 110 hurdles in 13:03. Two-time Olympian Devon Allen, a favorite of fans who play track and play football in Oregon, finished third to make the team for the world.
Allen is trying to balance track life and football after most recently signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a wide receiver. Worldwide, 110 odds have been set for 17 July. Eagles players are due to report for training camp after nine days.
Bryce Hopepel made his second straight American team appearance for the worlds in the 800, finishing in 1:44.60. He was followed by Jonah Kovec, who achieved the standard with his finish, and Brandon Miller, who threw himself over the line to finish third.
“That’s all I wanted,” Miller said.
Rae Benjamin won the 400 hurdles in 1:44.60, the best in the world this season. Benjamin was coming out of a bout with COVID-19 that drained his energy.
“This weekend was on me a lot, I’m definitely bang on, but I’m happy to come out and win today. Going into the world,” said Benjamin.
Emma Coburn won her 10th national title in the steeplechase, finishing in a season-best 9:10.63.
Chase Alley won the shot put in a meet-record 67 feet, 3 1/2 inches (20.51 m). Alice Cranny won the national title in the 5,000.
On the men’s side, Grant Fisher won the 5,000 in a meet-record 13:03.86. Donald Scott won the title in the triple jump, while Shelby McEwen won the high jump and Ethan Dobbs won the javelin.
Hayward Field, the University of Oregon campus, saw $200 million in renovations to host the world’s largest event of track and field outside the Olympics.
This is the first time the World Championships will be held on American soil.
