NEW YORK (AP) — Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles surged to 100-meter wins at the U.S. track and field championships on Friday night.
The 26-year-old Richardson got off to a slow start but quickly made up time, finishing in 10.77 seconds to breeze past training partner Kayla White and win by 0.13 seconds at Icahn Stadium.
“It feels phenomenal to be back in a better place — healthy, mentally, physically, emotionally,” Richardson, who battled injuries last year, said in an interview with Peacock after the race. “It shows that hard work pays off.”
Lyles, the reigning Olympic champion, was trailing early but quickly caught up to the field — and then blew right by them. He matched his personal-best time by finishing in 9.79 seconds. The 32-year-old Ronnie Baker took second and Kenny Bednarek finished third.
“I did what I do,” Lyles said in a postrace interview. “There’s no better rush than (winning). It’s my natural high. That’s my vice. Winning, running fast, that feeling of flying, that feeling of being better than everybody in the world — you can’t get that around here, only around me.”
Lyles celebrated after the race by signing a trading card with his image on it. He planned to give it to a “special fan,” he said. This was his third national title in the 100.
It’s been quite a stretch for Lyles, who got married in April. He also recently attended a FIFA World Cup game, where he posed for photos with Jamaican great Usain Bolt.
Lyles is gearing up for world championships next season and then the 2028 LA Olympics.
“Shoot, I was just playing around this year,” Lyles said. “I’m scared for y’all next year. I am real scared. Because you all ain’t going to have this nice Noah who goes around and just thinks that it’s all lollygagging and good. Next year I’ve got plans. I got places to run fast.”
Richardson stuck around for the men’s race, sitting on the grass with her spikes off as her partner, Christian Coleman, competed. Coleman was fourth.
She’s rounding into the form that led to a gold medal in the 100 at the 2023 world championships and silver at the 2024 Paris Games.
“Just really remembering who I am and just knowing that consistency and just being determined to be better,” said Richardson, who won her third 100 national title.
Erin Marsh used a strong 800-meter race to eclipse Timara Chapman by 38 points to win the heptathlon. Marsh, the sister of Philadelphia All-Star outfielder Brandon Marsh, finished with 6,059 points.
Garrett Scantling edged Kyle Garland by 95 points to take the decathlon crown. Euphenie Andre won the women’s triple jump, Tyus Wilson took the men’s high jump title and Annette Echikunwoke the women’s hammer throw. Nick Christie won the men’s race walk half marathon and Lauren Harris the women’s race.
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Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles surge to 100-meter wins at US championships
