Noah Lyles will be headed to the Olympics for the second time after winning the men’s 100-meter on Sunday at the U.S. Olympic track & field trials in Eugene, Ore.
Lyles logged a time of 9.83 to best second-place finisher Kenny Bednarek (9.87) and third-place finisher Fred Kerley (9.88) to secure a spot at the Paris Games.
“Coach (Lance Brauman) is a man of few words when it comes down to the finals,” Lyles said. “We both know that if I do what I’ve been doing in practice, the race is going to take care of itself. And that’s exactly what happened today.”
During the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo — which were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic — Lyles came away with a bronze medal in the men’s 200m.
Kendall Ellis will also be making her second trip to the Olympics thanks to a victory in the women’s 400m on Sunday. She finished in 49.46, edging Aaliyah Butler, who posted a 49.71, and Alexis Holmes, who recorded a 49.78.
Ellis took the podium twice in Tokyo, getting a gold medal in the 4x400m women’s relay and a bronze in the 4x400m mixed relay.
“I’m just so excited,” Ellis said. “To PR back-to-back is insane after not PR’ing for six years. So, yeah, I’m just so excited. Just so excited now that I feel like I have it figured out.”
Six other finals were held on Sunday, including both the men’s and women’s masters 800m. Chris McDonald prevailed on the men’s side, logging a time of 2:14.25. Sue McDonald led the women with a 2:22.81.
Kenneth Rooks finished the men’s 3000m steeplechase in 8:21.92 to come out on top. An 83.04-meter toss allowed Curtis Thompson to take the men’s javelin throw, while Sam Kendricks leapt 5.92 meters as the men’s pole vault winner.
Annette Echikunwoke finished first in the women’s hammer throw with a 74.68-meter heave.
–Field Level Media