INDIANAPOLIS -- Running his fastest 400m hurdles time since 2018, Kenny Selmon (Mableton, Georgia) was selected as the 12th USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2021. Selmon, a 2013 World Youth bronze medalist who won the 2018 USATF title in his specialty, was victorious at the USATF Sprint Summit in Prairie View, Texas, surging over the final half of the race to win in a world-leading 48.87. His time is the fastest by an American since 2019 and is almost a half-second faster than anyone else globally in 2021. More top performances from the past week:
Morolake Akinosun won the women’s 100m at the USATF Sprint Summit in 11.26 into a stiff 1.3 mps wind.
Aleia Hobbs clocked a world-leading 10.99 in the women’s 100m at the Battle on the Bayou in Baton Rouge.
Anna Cockrell of USC won the women’s 400m hurdles at the Florida Relays in a world-leading 55.65.
Nikki Long bettered the existing women’s American record for 20,000m on the track with a 1:18:33 at the Sir Walter Twilight. Maxine Johnson holds the AR at 1:22:24 from 1982.
Caity Ashley bettered the existing women’s American record for 25,000m on the track with a 1:37:07 at the Sir Walter Twilight. Maxine Johnson holds the AR at 1:44:06 from 1982.
Gabi Séjourné bettered the existing women’s American record for 30,000m on the track with a 1:59:08 at the Sir Walter Twilight. Teri Gerber holds the AR at 2:09:23 from 1986.
Now in its 20th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week when there are high-level competitions and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week. 2021 Winners: January 21, KC Lightfoot; January 28, Ryan Crouser; February 4, Bryce Hoppel; February 11, Athing Mu; February 18, Elle Purrier; February 25, Jaylen Slade; March 4, Grant Holloway; March 11, Emmanuel Bor; March 18, Tara Davis; March 25, Emily Sisson; April 1, Tara Davis; April 8, Kenny Selmon. We welcome your nominations! To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about his/her performance to communications@usatf.org. Fans can follow along with #USATF on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook.