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Lyles, Sha’Carri, Gabby — Who’s Going to Make It?
August 3, 2025 | Edition #164
👋 Hey, Speedsters!
The lead-up to the USA Outdoor Championships weekend has been crazy! And now, we are gearing up for a showstopper day 4. Fourteen finals are lined up for Sunday, August 3, and America's favorites are expected to show up. Right from the 200m sprints to 5000m distance events and field showdowns, here’s all that you can hope to see at the closing day of Nationals for this year. Hop on!
🌟 Track Stories
The Fight For The 200m Crown Won’t be Easy!
‘Who will become the American 200m Champion?’ Are you wondering about it too? Well, we will have the answer in less than a day. But before that, here is how we think the results could look...
For starters, there will be just 2 rounds of 200m: Round 1 and Finals. This means fewer warm-up chances for Noah Lyles as he bids for that fifth US Champ title, who hasn't lost a single 200m race on American soil since June 2021. But this year, he has raced just one 200m! However, Noah in that race, clocked 19.88s to defeat the world leader, Letsile Tebogo. Also, he will be on the U.S. squad despite the results. But he will still have to be careful of Kung Fu Bednarek.
After all, Kenny hasn't lost a single 200m race this year. Also, he has beaten Lyles in the Paris Olympics 200m final. Thus, watch out, Noah! But there are chances the youngsters outrun the pros. T'Mars McCallum, especially, is a favorite. Moreover, he currently has the world-leading time of 19.73s. Plus, after having made it to the Worlds a day ago in the 100m, his confidence must be at an all-time high. But attaining glory won’t be easy…
Erriyon Knighton, well, some doubt him. Just one indoor 200m race this year. But he can drop that speed, after all, he just missed catching up to Lyles by 0.29s in Paris and was the same athlete who handed Lyles his last home defeat in the 200, at the US 2021 Olympic Trials. Also, he was the winner of the USA 2023 Championships. Watch him leave Bednarek chasing behind in 2023. However, this isn’t it!
With just a last chance left to fill the top 3 spots in the men's 200m and make it to the worlds, Christian Coleman would push too. Yes, he is going through personal turmoil right now, but we saw in the 100m that he can drop the speed on the big day. Although stats say that he ran just one 200m this year and finished 6th. Moreover, theirs Courtney Lindsey, who made it to team USA in 2023, so he can do it too! For sure, this one will be as close as the 100m, probably even more fiery…
Semifinals at 12:05 P.M. PT
Finals at 2.22 P.M. PT
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📈 Trending News
Who Will Take The 200m Crown?
Sunday will be a blockbuster! As almost 30 mins after the men's semis, we also have the women's 200m lined up. With the reigning 200m Olympic champion, Gabby Thomas, in the lineup, are you expecting a one-woman show?
Yes, Gabby is a favorite, but there's McKenzie Long, the fastest 200m American this year. Long is 0.02s faster than Gabby’s 21.93 season best! So she will challenge Gabby’s 200m supremacy! Also, there’s a twist. Sha'Carri Richardson has reversed her decision and now will line up for the event. This will be her first 200m race in over a year, with the reentry of the 2023 world bronze medalist field looks tougher. Watch how Americans dominated the 200m at the 2023 Worlds!
Also, Ja Messia Ford is likely to reach the finals. With a 21.98s season best, she is #4 on the world lead list. So can two other women who have had a history of beating the big dogs. After all, Brittany Brown, post-surgery this winter, has made a comeback but has not gone sub-22 yet. However, she will come looking for that golden chance. Also, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden may have a shot in her non-signature event, but she can dominate, as she has defeated Gabby at GST Philly. So be ready for some unexpected turns…
Anavia Battle is coming too! Yes, the one who defeated the fastest 200m woman alive, Shericka Jackson. Also, 7 of the top 10 200m runners this year are lining up, so expect fireworks!
Semifinals at 12:32 P.M. PT
Finals at 2:13 P.M. PT
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🏃♀️ Can’t Miss
Keep An Eye On These Track Finals!
While the 200m events would be the highlights, there are a few more finals this Sunday...
Men's 100m Hurdles finals: In Round 1, Trey Cunningham clocked 13.10s to be the fastest qualifier, thus his first national title looks closer than ever. At the same time, Cordell Tinch (13.34), Dylan Beard (13.13), and Grant Holloway (13.15) won their respective heats, too. Here's how Holloway took his win over Jamal Britt! He already has a bye, so yes, the rest may land anywhere in the top 3 and get their spots sealed.
Finals at 2:54 P.M. PT
Women's 400m Hurdles finals: Dalilah is now closer to her first national title after six long years. She cruised through the semis on Saturday with the fastest qualifying time, 53.80s. Yes, even faster than Anna Cockrell, who won her heat, but in 53. 97s. While the top 2 spots can go to either of them, Jasmine Jones is next in contention with 54.36 from her heats.
Finals at 1:34 P.M. PT
Women's 800m finals: Shocked would be an understatement for what we felt on Saturday! Well, Athing Mu's 1:59.79 season best limited her to the 10th spot. With her out, Nia Akins is looking the strongest with a 1:58.09, the fastest qualifier. So does Ajee Wilson, who ran a season best 1:58.30. And Sage Hurta-Klecker, as we said last time, is still a fierce contender to make her first-ever global team.
Finals at 1:18 p.m. PT
Men's 800m finals: Brandon Miller in the semis did what he does best. 1:44.25 on the board, and he is the top seed into the finals. But the way Donavan Brazier ran 1:44.39 to come second in the semis, we can’t believe he was 6th at the London DL last month. He is likely to make the team, with Josh Hoey of course, who was third. Well, national record holder Bryce Hoppel is in the finals too, where he will push to make the cut!
Finals at 1:26 P.M. PT
Women’s 5000m finals: Our picks in this final would be a tough choice between Shelby Houlihan, Josette Andrews, and Eliese Cranny. Houlihan is the 2025 World indoor silver medalist, whereas Andrews just clocked her personal best time at the Rome DL. But speaking of great form, Cranny has already made it to the USA team in the 10K, along with Karissa Schweizer. Also, these two have been mostly making the USA team since 2018, so they are likely to podium!
Finals at 2:31 P.M. PT
Men’s 5000m finals: With the reigning Olympic silver medalist, Grant Fisher, in the line-up, we are reserving one place in the top 3. The next favorite is Nico Young, who won the Oslo DL in June, his first DL win. If someone matches his form, it would be Graham Blanks, who podiumed at the Paris DL and just made it to team USA in the 10K. But, well, there's also the Paris 1500m champion, Cole Hocker, who is ambitiously going for the 5000m. So something special might be on his mind!
Finals at 1:52 P.M. PT
🙌 Field Action
Field Finals You Can’t Miss!
For all the field enthusiasts, it will be a packed day as your favorite field stars are stepping out for their event finals. Here you go:
Men’s Shot Put finals: The first final since 2015, without Ryan Crouser, so this might be Joe Kovac's shot at his first outdoor national title in 10 years. Straight off an amazing win at the Prefontaine Classic, he is in form too. Watch Kovac's world lead throw at Prefontaine! One spot on the national team for him, hopefully, while the next might go to Roger Steen. He is the reigning World indoor silver medalist and the second-best American this year. But the third spot can see a close fight between Josh Awotunde, who just threw a season best 21.43m, and Tripp Piperi, the World indoor bronze medalist.
Finals at 1:40 P.M. PT
Women's Pole Vault finals: Katie Moon is on the team with her bye. But for others, the stakes are high. Sandi Morris will likely finish close to Moon, as she is just 0.01m behind her season best. Also, with her DL wins at Rome and Stockholm, her form is undeniable. The Moon-Morris show will also have others like Emily Grove trying to make a place on the team. She recently threw 4.73, but will still have to fend off young challengers, Hana Moll, the NCAA champ, and Brynn King, the NCAA DII Champ.
Finals at 12:00 P.M. PT
Women's Discus finals: Given all the conditions remain right, Valerie Allman, who broke the American record with her 73.52m throw this year, will take one spot. In addition, the finals could also see Laulauga Tausaga shine as she is the only one with Allman to have thrown 70m+ this season. But when it comes to national teams, Veronica Fraley has been making each of the past three Team USA squads. So she could be eyeing another spot while youngsters like Cierra Jackson will make that tough for her.
Finals at 12:00 P.M. PT
Men's Triple Jump finals: Will Claye, at 34 years, is back for another bid, so we will closely eye his performance. But, there's also defending champion, Salif Mane, on the list. He is likely to win after his season best, 17.00m at the Ed Murphey Classic. But Russell Robinson, the U.S. leader, will make things difficult for him. Donald Scott, the veteran, and Brandon Green, the NCAA champ, are in the lineup too. Let's see who jumps straight into that US squad.
Finals at 1:20 P.M. PT
📊 POLL OF THE DAY
Which Finals Are You Most Excited About? |
Last Poll Result: We asked you, “Who Has Been the USATF Nationals Breakout Star For You?” Well, there was a clear fan favorite, and that was Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. After all, 76.92% voted for her, and that’s just proof of how impactful her performances have been. Especially, her 100m national title that she won in 10.65s! Well, let’s see if she shines in the 200!
That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!
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