EUGENE, Ore. — Just in case you’re wondering, Quincy Wilson doesn’t work with the benefits of vibranium. His purple kit, inspired by the film “Black Panther,” suggests some Wakanda capabilities, however, especially after another breathtaking performance.
“No, it’s just me inside,” Wilson said, flashing a typical Cheshire smile.
His extraordinary abilities may not be attributable to a powerful fictional metal from Africa in the Marvel Universe. But there’s clearly something special about this 16-year-old from Maryland.
That was clearly true Sunday in the men’s 400-meter semifinal. Wilson, the Bullis High phenom, stole the show with a stunning time for his age. He ran the 400m in 44.59 seconds, the fastest time ever by an American 18 or younger.
It was his own record because on Saturday, his 400-meter time of 44.66 broke the 18-and-under mark set by Darrell Robinson of Tacoma, Wash., in 1982.
He finished third in his heat, so he didn’t get one of the automatic qualifying spots for Monday night’s final. But with the fourth fastest time in the semi-finals, he easily clinched one of the nine places. A top-three finish on Monday would mean Wilson would have to delay his driver’s training, and therefore his license, as he would travel to Paris.
“I’ve never been happier in my entire athletics life,” Wilson said. “I worked for this moment. This record that I broke two days ago… It’s been 42 years since anyone managed to beat this record. And I beat him twice in two days. »
Quincy Wilson, 16, with a tremendous effort in the 400m semi-final! He is officially QUALIFIED for the final. 👏#TrackFieldTrials24 pic.twitter.com/nL4Nj8m5BT
– NBC Sports (@NBCSports) June 24, 2024
Wilson’s special sauce, beyond his obvious talent, is the heart of the child.
At 5 feet 9 inches with adolescent muscles, he is small compared to the grown men around him. His form can be shaky, as you would expect from a rising junior. His inexperience at this level gives his opponents a notable advantage.
But Wilson runs without fear. He empties his tank, accepts the pain. He believes in it enough to keep fighting. Every meter. Each step. Each moment. He has a natural boldness. He’s aware enough to understand this, the story he’s creating, but he has the steel to confront it.
His heart filled Hayward Field on Sunday.
Bryce Deadmon is 6 feet 3 inches tall and 27 years old. He is an Olympic champion, world champion and double national champion. And he was in an inside position on the teenager as they rounded the second corner. On Wilson’s other side was Vernon Norwood, a 6-foot-2 seasoned pro who was winning NCAA titles while Wilson was knee-high as a grasshopper.
“Someone at 16,” Wilson said, assuming the mindset of a mere mortal teenager, “is more likely to be afraid when facing big competitors. Vernon (Norwood) is 32. I’m 16. I’m half his age. So I’m just running for my life.
Imagine the juxtaposition of the worlds he inhabits in June. In high school, he is untouchable. He breaks records just by lacing up his crampons. He signed a NIL deal with New Balance. He can run with confidence knowing he is the man in his age group.
Then came the final turn of Sunday’s 400 meters. He was in fifth place heading into the final 100. He seemed exhausted. His storybook was about to come to a valiant end. Because where would he find the conviction to oppose so many accomplished veterans?
His explosion in the first round was quite impressive. The semi-finals were the reality check that always came.
But Wilson opposed such an idea. The young man did not concede. He dug deeper. He remained attached. Whatever his racing plan was, it was already complete. The new plan was its heart.
Quincy Wilson, left, competes in Sunday’s 400-meter semifinals. He broke his own record for his age group, set a day earlier, to qualify for Monday’s final. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
He found more in his reserves, surpassing both Virginia Tech’s Judson Lincoln and Florida’s Jenoah McKiver.
“Keep calm,” Wilson told himself. “I didn’t come out the way I wanted to. But like my coach said, “The race starts at 300.” » You watch Vernon’s interviews. He said, “I’ll see you at 300.” Going from fifth to third place means a lot. Because if you look at me, I’m not that strong. But it’s 100 percent from the heart.
Monday is the biggest final of his life. The stakes continue to grow. His life could change even more drastically than it already has if he finishes in the top 3.
This seems like a tall order. That’s too much to ask. But to look at it is to know that it’s on the table. Wilson has a strength of will within him, reservoirs to draw from, a comfort in the moments.
Afterwards, he might talk about what he does with the giddiness of a teenager watching Junior Mints after seeing a good action film. His smile brightens when he talks about the love he received from Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, reminding you that he’s still an impressionable young man.
“Tomorrow I’m competing in the biggest final in the world,” he said, his eyes filling with exclamation points. ” At 16 years old ! I’m like ecstatic right now.
But on the track, he is much less innocent. It’s a blend of tenacity and appreciation, work ethic and humility, respect and boldness. She’s a high school superstar with the world at her fingertips. He’s also the son of a military family that has lived in six states, a family of athletes who know all about hard work, sacrifice and focus.
“The first thing I did when I came off the track,” Wilson said after Sunday’s race, “was my coach told me he was extremely proud of me. He was telling me the things we needed to do to stop the race. He’s not caught up in the moment, and with that on my side, I think I have some good things for (Monday). I can’t wait (for the finale).
Wilson said he also had a new kit for Monday. It doesn’t have to be Wakanda-inspired. He doesn’t need vibranium. He’s already done what he needs.
GO FURTHER
Noah Lyles wins men’s 100m at US Olympic track trials
(Top photo of Quincy Wilson during Sunday’s 400-meter semifinals: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
News Source : www.nytimes.com
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