INDIANAPOLIS -- Winning the women's title at the USATF 10K Championships by 20 seconds, Jessica McClain (Phoenix, AZ/USATF Arizona) earned recognition as the 29th USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2024.
McClain, an alternate for the Olympic Games in the marathon, was dominant at the Great Cow Harbor 10K Run in Northport, New York, crossing the finish line in 31:40 to capture her first USATF national title and set a course record by 13 seconds. Two-time World Athletics Championships track qualifier Natosha Rogers was the next woman across the line in 32:00.
Content to sit in the lead pack through the first half of the race, McClain turned on the jets in the second half and ran away from early leader Rogers and the rest of the field. Fourth at the U.S. Olympic Trials - Marathon in February with a PB 2:25:46, McClain also took fourth in the 10,000 at the U.S. Olympic Trials - Tracl & Field in Eugene in June. She set her track 10,000 PB of 31:35.28 in May.
Other top performances from last week:
Biya Simbassa won the men's title at the USATF 10K Championships, finishing six seconds ahead of Hillary Bor in 28:18.
Washington high schooler Owen Powell edged Oregon prep Josiah Tostenson to take the boys' title at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic in California. Powell's 13:30.5 broke the meet record.
California high schooler Rylee Blade shattered the meet record at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic with a 15:20.3, clipping 12 seconds off the previous record.
Now in its 23rd 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.
2024 Winners: January 17, Weini Kelati; January 24, Cooper Teare; January 31, Nico Young; February 7, Fiona O'Keeffe; February 14, Elle St. Pierre; February 21, Grant Holloway; February 28, Jalani Davis; March 6, Elle St. Pierre; March 13, Rachel Glenn; March 20, Grant Fisher; March 27, Myrle Mensey; April 3, Jordan Davis; April 10, Hillary Bor; April 17, Jacious Sears; April 24, Christian Miller; May 1, Payton Otterdahl; May 8, Gabby Thomas; May 15, Ja'Kobe Tharp; May 22, Rai Benjamin; May 29, Joe Kovacs; June 5, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone; June 12, McKenzie Long; July 10, Valarie Allman; July 17, Rai Benjamin; July 24, Quincy Wilson; September 4, Ja'Kobe Tharp; September 11, Grant Holloway; September 18, Nora Cary; September 25, Jessica McClain.
We welcome your nominations!
To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about their performance to communications@usatf.org.
Join the conversation with USATF on X, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #USATF.