STATEN ISLAND, New York, February 28–March 01 — Jordan Anthony made his claim to the title new king of the sprints, winning the USATF Indoor title over 60 meters. The 21-year-old turned back his flashy training partner Noah Lyles to cap a weekend of close competition at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex. The meet selected the American team for the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Poland.
Anthony, who won NCAA titles in the indoor 60 and outdoor 100 for Arkansas last year, moved to Florida to train with Olympic 100 champ Lyles and the rest of coach Lance Brauman’s crew. Calling himself the underdog, he won his heat in 6.51, second-fastest to Trayvon Bromell (6.49). Lyles (6.56) took the other section.
In the final, Bromell had a marginally better start, but by halfway Anthony had drawn even and then carried his momentum for the victory, 6.45 to 6.47. Lyles, who won this title in 2024, was well behind out of the blocks but rallied well for 3rd in 6.51.
Matching the bravado of Lyles, Anthony boasted (good naturedly) that a “new generation is taking over, today was the day I had to give everybody the eviction notice and take the belt home,” a reference to the faux heavyweight title accessory that Lyles brought to the meet as a sign of his dominance.
“I won’t say that I like losing, but Jordan’s been a lot of fun,” Lyles, 28, said. “He been very energetic… great trash talker, I definitely miss that in the group. … We’ve been having amazing sessions where we can trash talk, do well and then keep it moving and still be cordial.”
Just like Anthony, though, the year is young and no dash “king” title will be awarded just — as Auburn’s Nigerian junior Kayinsola Ajayi, too, ran a 6.45 at the SEC Champs the night before.
Texas prep Dillon Mitchell finished 7th in 6.60 after clocking 6.59 in the heats to move into a tie for No. 2 on the all-time high school list.
Zach Bradford won a tight pole vault by clearing 19-4¼ (5.90) on his first attempt. With the title in hand, he had the bar raised to a meet record 19-8½ (6.01) and went over on his second attempt. He now sits =3rd on the U.S. all-time indoor list (and =6th on the absolute list).
Chris Nilsen, the previous meet record holder, and KC Lightfoot tied for 2nd at 19-2¼ (5.85) and then Nilsen won an administrative jump-off at the same height for a spot on the World Indoor team.
In the 3000, Cole Hocker set the early conservative pace before yielding to Matthew Wilkinson at 1800 meters. Nico Young attempted to make a decisive move with 300 to go but was passed by Hocker (7:39.25) on the outside in the final 20 meters. Yared Nuguse (7:39.28) closed hard on the inside and dipped at the line to grab the runner-up spot from Young (7:39.29).
“I won and that was the main goal,” said the Olympic 1500 champion. “It could have gone a couple of different ways, but it went the exact way I anticipated.”
He was foiled in his attempt for a double in the next day’s 1500 when two-time NCAA champion Nathan Green pulled an upset with a well-timed finishing sprint. Green (3:37.65) charged from the outside and edged out his former Washington teammate Luke Houser (3:37.67) and Vincent Ciattei (3:37.73). Yared Nuguse (3:38.06) finished 4th, one spot ahead of Hocker (3:38.08), who was 6th at the bell and couldn’t make up the deficit. “No one has my kick still, not when I’m fresh,” Hocker said, but noted that “you can’t always be on your A game apparently.”
The 800 was far less dramatic although impressive in its own way. High school star, now pro, Cooper Lutkenhaus controlled the race’s final two laps and won in 1:46.68. “I feel like I’m getting pretty used to racing from the front,” said the 11th-grader — who turned pro after finishing 2nd at the USATF Outdoor Championships last summer and has gone undefeated in four races this winter. “So I’ve been trying to get used to that instead of high school racing where I would sit back and go with 200 or 300 to go. So I’m just trying to learn a different style of racing.”
Sean Dolan (1:47.16) held off Isaiah Harris (1:47.22) for 2nd.
Recent World Record-setter Khaleb McRae went wire to wire in the 400, crossing the line in 45.01, ahead of training mate Christopher Robinson (45.36). Dylan Beard won the 60H in a PR 7.37, edging ahead of Trey Cunningham (7.40) on the run in from the final barrier.
Elijah Kosiba and Russell Robinson, last year’s runners-up in the high jump and triple jump, respectively, moved to the top of the podium. Kosiba cleared 7-4¼ (2.24) while Robinson won by over a foot at 54-5¼ (16.59). Steffin McCarter won the long jump at 26-7 (8.10), just 2 centimeters ahead of Jeremiah Davis (26-6¼/8.08). Roger Steen took the shot put with a 71-6¾ (21.81) throw, followed by Jordan Geist (71-3¼/ 21.72) — who has a wild card into World Indoors after winning the World Athletics Indoor Tour title — and Josh Awotunde (69-1¼/21.06).
In events that didn’t have world team berths up for grabs, Nick Christie took the 5000 walk in 19:13.37 (an American Record) and Isaiah Rogers won the 35-pound weight at 76-9¾ (23.41).
USATF INDOOR MEN’S RESULTS
60 Meters
1. Jordan Anthony (adidas) 6.45; 2. Trayvon Bromell (NBal) 6.47; 3. Noah Lyles (adidas) 6.51; 4. Max Thomas (On) 6.55; 5. Malachi Adams (unat) 6.56 PR; 6. Lawrence Johnson (unat) 6.59; 7. Dillon Mitchell (TxHS) 6.60 (x, =4 HS); 8. Emmanuel Wells (unat) 6.61.
Heats: I–1. Anthony 6.51; 2. Johnson 6.57; 3. Wells 6.58; 4. ZaChaeus Beard (unat) 6.66; 5. Colton Magruder (CWa) 6.75; 6. Nigel Green (GSTC) 6.75; 7. Aiden Baldelli (Monm) 6.81.
II–1. Lyles 6.56; 2. Thomas 6.56; 3. Adams 6.58 PR; 4. Ronnie Baker (adidas) 6.60; 5. Koryee Wyatt (unat) 6.66; 6. Ja’shaun Lloyd (TxSt) 6.68; 7. Dennis Phillips (unat) 6.68; 8. Travis Massey (Troy) 6.88.
III–1. Bromell 6.49; 2. Mitchell 6.59 (HSL) (=2, =2 HS); 3. Mason Phillips (GSTC) 6.62; 4. Marcellus Moore (NYAC) 6.67; 5. Treyshon Malone (unat) 6.72; 6. Jordan Coleman (unat) 6.73.
400 Meters
I–1. Jevon O’Bryant (unat) 46.41; 2. Steven McElroy (unat) 46.65; 3. Elija Godwin (adidas) 47.47; 4. Justin Robinson (unat) 47.64.
II–1. Khaleb McRae (adidas) 45.01 (10.84, 10.44 [21.28], 11.54 [32.82], 12.19) (21.28/23.73); 2. Christopher Robinson (adidas) 45.36 PR (10.88, 10.54 [21.42], 11.72 [33.14], 12.22)(21.42/23.94); 3. TJ Tomlyanovich (unat) 45.77; 4. Demarius Smith (unat) 45.89 PR.
Heats: I–1. J. Robinson 46.52; 2. Tomlyanovich 46.53; 3. James Milholen (unat) 46.71; 4. Chase Walter (unat) 46.91 PR.
II–1. Godwin 46.50; 2. Willington Wright (unat) 46.57; 3. Hasani Barr (unat) 46.88; 4. Jevon Williams (unat) 50.43.
III–1. C. Robinson (adidas) 45.73; 2. Jevon O’Bryant (unat) 46.06; 3. Steven McElroy (unat) 46.37; 4. Marquis Miller (GSTC) 46.80 PR.
IV–1. McRae 45.63; 2. Smith 46.41; 3. Jonah Vigil (unat) 46.59.
800 Meters
1. Cooper Lutkenhaus (Nike) 1:46.68 (25.46, 27.72 [53.18], 26.92 [1:20.10], 26.58)(53.18/53.50); 2. Sean Dolan (AtlTC) 1:47.16 (25.36, 28.27 [53.63], 26.52 [1:20.15], 27.01) (53.63/53.53); 3. Isaiah Harris (Brk) 1:47.22; 4. Isaiah Jewett (Nike) 1:47.55; 5. Brannon Kidder (BrkB) 1:47.57; 6. Joe Waskom (adidas) 1:48.48.
Heats: I–1. Jewett 1:48.52; 2. Shane Cohen (Nike) 1:48.82; 3. Darius Smallwood (unat) 1:49.49; 4. Shane Streich (GSTC) 1:49.60; 5. Luciano Fiore (AtlTC) 1:50.50.
II–1. Harris 1:47.32; 2. Kidder 1:47.71; 3. Billy Hill (GSTC) 1:47.85; 4. Sam Ellis (On) 1:48.12; 5. Grant Grosvenor (unat) 1:48.81.
III–1. Lutkenhaus 1:47.00; 2. Dolan 1:47.17; 3. Will Cuthbertson (EmpE) 1:49.13; 4. Mehdi Yanouri (unat) 1:50.20; 5. Patrick Forrest (GSTC) 1:50.44.
IV–1. Waskom 1:47.72 PR; 2. Eric Holt (EmpE) 1:48.22; 3. Tim McInerney (unat) 1:48.33; 4. Braxton Bruer (MnDE) 1:50.13;… dq—Brady Bliven (Vand).
1500 Meters
1. Nathan Green (adidas) 3:37.65 PR (13.08, 26.65, 53.98, 1:52.98); 2. Luke Houser (AtlTC) 3:37.67 (13.29, 26.91, 54.26, 1:52.17); 3. Vincent Ciattei (UArm) 3:37.73 (13.32, 26.86, 53.83); 4. Yared Nuguse (OAC) 3:38.06 (13.36, 26.84, 54.59); 5. Cole Hocker (Nike) 3:38.08 (13.25, 26.74, 54.50); 6. Wes Porter (UArm) 3:38.55; 7. Cooper Teare (Nike) 3:38.87; 8. Abel Teffra (Hoka) 3:38.90; 9. Benjamin Allen (unat) 3:39.10; 10. Cooper Cawthra (UArm) 3:39.17; 11. Sam Prakel (adidas) 3:40.38; 12. Davis Bove (UArm) 3:43.87.
3000 Meters
1. Cole Hocker (Nike) 7:39.25 (29.92, 31.59 [61.51], 31.63 [1:33.14], 32.45 [2:05.59], 32.33 [2:37.92], 32.35 [3:10.27], 32.36 [3:42.63], 32.11 [4:14.74], 32.16 [4:46.90], 30.39 [5:17.29], 29.88 [5:47.17], 29.48 [6:16.65], 28.32 [6:44.97], 27.92 [7:12.89], 26.36) (26.36, 54.28, 1:52.08, 2:52.35, 3:56.62);
2. Yared Nuguse (OAC) 7:39.28 (26.63, 54.62, 1:51.97, 2:51.94, 3:56.20);
3. Nico Young (adidas) 7:39.29 (26.86, 54.56, 1:52.23, 2:51.86, 3:54.71);
4. Morgan Beadlescomb (adidas) 7:40.83; 5. Sam Prakel (adidas) 7:40.92; 6. Matthew Wilkinson (UArmDS) 7:41.22; 7. Cooper Teare (Nike) 7:41.62; 8. Ryan Schoppe (unat) 7:42.75; 9. Carson Williams (UArmDS) 7:43.83; 10. Kasey Knevelbaard (UArm) 7:44.61; 11. Waleed Suliman (BrkB) 7:47.77; 12. Ethan Strand (NikeSwoosh) 7:47.99; 13. Austen Dalquist (Tracksm) 7:49.31; 14. Drew Bosley (NikeSwoosh) 7:50.57; 15. Craig Engels (Nike) 7:54.89; 16. Sam Gilman (Nike) 8:00.00.
60 Hurdles
1. Dylan Beard (NYAC) 7.37 PR (=WL, =AL) (=7, x W; =5, x A);
2. Trey Cunningham (adidas) 7.40; 3. Jamal Britt (Tracksm) 7.46 PR; 4. Darius Brown (unat) 7.50 PR; 5. Johnny Brackins (On) 7.53; 6. Devon Brooks (unat) 7.59; 7. Eric Edwards (unat) 7.62; 8. Connor Schulman (unat) 7.67.
Heats: I–1. Brackins 7.58; 2. Edwards 7.68; 3. De’Vion Wilson (unat) 7.75; 4. Devon Montgomery (unat) 7.81; 5. Christian Martin (GSTC) 7.82; 6. Benjamin Jaudon (Troy) 8.07.
II–1. Cunningham 7.38; 2. Beard 7.47; 3. Darius Brown (unat) 7.53 PR; 4. Ja’shaun Lloyd (TxSt) 7.65 PR; 5. Cameron Murray (D4) 7.88; 6. Trevon Foster (PAUtd) 7.93 (HSL) (3, 4 HS); 7. TJ Skinner (unat) 7.94.
III–1. Britt 7.53; 2. Schulman 7.60; 3. Brooks 7.61; 4. Leonard Mustari (FlAM) 7.67; 5. Edward Williams (CParkTC) 7.77; 6. Blake Vier (unat) 7.83.
5000 Walk
1. Nick Christie (NYAC) 19:13.37 AR (old AR 19:15.88 Tim Seaman [NYAC] ’06);
2. Jordan Crawford (RalW) 21:15.02 PR; 3. AJ Gruttadauro (Shore) 25:21.38 PR;… dnf—Cole Bennett (unat).
High Jump
1. Elijah Kosiba (unat) 7-4¼ (2.24); 2. Caleb Snowden (unat) 7-3 (2.21); 3. Kason O’Riley (unat) 7-3; 4. Aiden Hayes (TxSt) 7-1 (2.16); 5. tie, Shelby McEwen (NikeNYAC) & Jonathan Rankins-James (unat) 6-11 (2.11); 7. Jaivon Harrison (unat) 6-11; 8. tie, Vernon Turner (adidas) & Gionni Wiltz (LaM) 6-11.
Pole Vault
1. Zach Bradford (unat) 19-8½ (6.01) PR (=9, x W; =3, =4 A) (18-½ [2], 18-6½, 18-10¼ [2], 19-¼, 19-2¼, 19-4¼, 19-8½ [2]) (5.50 [2], 5.65, 5.75 [2], 5.80, 5.85, 5.90, 6.01 [2]);
2. tie, Chris Nilsen (Nike/NYAC) & KC Lightfoot (Pum) 19-2¼ (5.85) (Nilsen won administrative jumpoff for second spot on World Indoor team);
4. Nathan Richartz (Tracksm) 18-10¼ (5.75) =PR; 5. Tray Oates (unat) 18-10¼; 6. Matthew Gray (App) 18-6½ (5.65);
7. tie, Hunter Garretson (unat) & Carson Waters (unat) 18-½ (5.50); 9. tie, Keaton Daniel (Nike) & Christyan Sampy (unat) 18-½; 11. Trevor Stephenson (unat) 18-½;… nh—Scott Toney (unat), Cole Walsh (unat).
Long Jump
1. Steffin McCarter (unat) 26-7 (8.10); 2. Jeremiah Davis (Puma) 26-6¼ (8.08); 3. Isaac Grimes (adidas) 26-3 (8.00); 4. Malcolm Clemons (unat) 26-1¾ (7.97); 5. Cameron Crump (unat) 25-11 (7.90); 6. Cordell Tinch (Nike) 25-7½ (7.81); 7. Will Williams (unat) 25-2½ (7.68); 8. Kyle Garland (NikeNYAC) 25-¾ (7.64); 9. James Carter (unat) 24-10 (7.57); 10. Trumaine Jefferson (unat) 24-7¼ (7.50); 11. Blair Brooks (unat) 24-6½ (7.48); 12. Treyshon Malone (unat) 24-6¼ (7.47); 13. Kennedy Stringfellow (Ok) 24-5¾ (7.46).
Triple Jump
1. Russell Robinson (adidas) 54-5¼ (16.59); 2. James Carter (unat) 53-3½ (16.24); 3. Chauncey Chambers (GSTC) 51-7¼ (15.73); 4. Antonio Caito (ER) 51-1¾ (15.59); 5. Malachi Aiken (unat) 49-10½ (15.20).
Shot
1. Roger Steen (Velaasa) 71-6¾ (21.81) (65-8¾, 68-10, 70-3, 71-6¾, f, 70-4¼) (20.03, 20.98, 21.41, 21.81, f, 21.44); 2. Jordan Geist (IronW) 71-3¼ (21.72) (71-3¼, 70-2½, 69-4, f, 70-10½, f) (21.72, 21.40, 21.13, f, 21.60, f);
3. Josh Awotunde (Shore) 69-1¼ (21.06); 4. Daniel McArthur (unat) 66-8 (20.32); 5. Joe Kovacs (NikeNYAC) 66-2½ (20.18); 6. Jason Swarens (unat) 65-4 (19.91); 7. Jordan West (unat) 64-8¾ (19.73); 8. T’Mond Johnson (unat) 64-6½ (19.67); 9. Jeffrey Kline (unat) 61-8¼ (18.80).
Weight
1. Isaiah Rogers (T1D) 76-9¾ (23.41); 2. Konner Wood (unat) 75-2½ (22.92); 3. Nathan Williams (unat) 73-7½ (22.44) PR; 4. Alexander Kristeller (unat) 72-3½ (22.03); 5. Marcus Disbrow (GSTC) 71-1½ (21.68) PR.
