EUGENE, Oregon — With the World Championships just months away, two of the United States’ most electrifying athletes — Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles — returned to the track Thursday at Hayward Field, sharpening their edges despite already holding golden tickets to Tokyo.
Both athletes, reigning world champions in the 100 meters, are exempt from qualification for this year’s global meet. Yet, they chose to line up in the US Track & Field Trials, not out of necessity, but out of discipline — a calculated tune-up on the road to Tokyo.
Richardson, ever the headline magnet, clocked 11.07 seconds in her preliminary round, easing into second place behind Kayla White’s sharp 10.89. The Texas native, who recently placed ninth at the Prefontaine Classic, appeared far more settled this time out.
“It’s less about pressure and more about precision now,” Richardson remarked trackside. “Having the bye lets me focus on sharpening, not surviving.”
Far from chasing the limelight, Richardson seems content with flying just below the radar — for now.
“I’m not loud right now, but the boom is coming,” she teased, hinting at a more explosive showing come championship season.
On the men’s side, Lyles ran a smooth 10.05 to win his heat — a controlled statement rather than a sprinting spectacle. Still recovering from an early-season injury, the 100m and 200m dynamo is prioritizing rhythm over rankings.
“This is only my second 100m of the year,” said Lyles. “Right now, it’s about stacking races and building that sprint IQ back. That urgency? It’s coming.”
Kenny Bednarek, another formidable contender, made an assertive entry into the conversation with a 9.95 — the fastest time of the day and a strong indication that the internal competition among U.S. sprinters remains fierce.
Elsewhere, Olympic gold medallist Athing Mu-Nikolayev returned with quiet determination in the women’s 800m, gliding into the next round in 2:00.06. After a devastating fall during last year’s trials, her reappearance was less about redemption and more about reassurance.
“It felt strong,” Mu-Nikolayev said. “After everything last year, I’m grateful just to be healthy and moving forward.”
As the trials continue, the message is clear: America’s fastest aren’t just defending titles — they’re recalibrating for dominance.
