NEW YORK — Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles won the 100 meters at the USA Track and Field Championships on Friday night.
Richardson, 26, got off to a slow start but quickly made up time, finishing in 10.77 seconds, beating training partner Kayla White to win by 0.13 seconds at Icahn Stadium.
“It’s phenomenal to be back in a better place – healthy, mentally, physically and emotionally,” Richardson, who battled injuries last year, said in a post-race interview with Peacock. “It shows that hard work pays off.”
Lyles, the reigning Olympic champion, fell behind early but quickly caught up with the field and then stormed past them. He recorded his personal best time, finishing in 9.79 seconds. Ronnie Baker, 32, finished second and Kenny Bednarek finished third.
“I did what I do,” Lyles said in a post-race interview. “There’s no better rush than (winning). This is my natural high. This is my vice. Victory, running fast, that feeling of flying, that feeling of being the best in the world – it’s impossible to get here, only around me.”
Lyles celebrated his victory after the race by signing a trading card with his likeness on it. He planned to give it to a “special fan,” he said. This was his third national title out of a hundred.
For Lyles, who got married in April, it was a real challenge. He also recently attended a World Cup game where he posed for photos with Jamaican great Usain Bolt.
Lyles is preparing for the world championships next season and then the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“Man, I just played this year,” Lyles said. “I’m afraid for you next year. I’m very afraid. Because you all won’t have that sweet Noah walking around thinking it’s all nothing and that’s good. I have plans for next year. I have places where you can run fast.”
Richardson remained in the men’s race, sitting on the grass with her spikes removed while her partner Christian Coleman competed. Coleman was fourth.
She is regaining the form that saw her win a gold medal in the 100m at the 2023 World Championships and silver at the 2024 Paris Games.
“Just remembering who I am, just knowing the sequence and just being determined to get better,” said Richardson, who won her third national title in the 100.
Erin Marsh used a strong 800m run to eclipse Timaru Chapman by 38 points to win the heptathlon. Marsh, the sister of Philadelphia All-Star outfielder Brandon Marsh, hit 6,059.
Garrett Scantling beat Kyle Garland by 95 points to win the decathlon crown. Euphenie Andre won the women’s triple jump and Tyus Wilson captured the men’s high jump title.