INDIANAPOLIS -- Running the fastest men's 100 by an American in 2026 and helping Team USATF to a world record in the mixed 4x100, Max Thomas (Long Beach, CA/USATF Southern California) earned recognition as the 13th USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2026.
Chopping more than a tenth of a second off his 100-meter lifetime best at the Florida Relays, Thomas won in a U.S.-leading 9.90. The former USC star, who was the silver medalist in the 100 at the 2025 NCAA Championships and placed sixth in the 200, also helped Team USATF to a world record in the mixed 4x100 relay, teaming up with Marcellus Moore, Anavia Battle, and Samirah Moody to clock 40.84 and take .42 seconds off the previous world record that was set by Australia on March 27.
Other top performances from last week:
Paris Peoples won the women's 600 at the Miramar Invitational in 1:23.45, setting a meet record and moving her to No. 3 on the all-time U.S. performer list.
Jamal Britt won the men's 110 hurdles at the Miramar Invitational in a world-leading 13.07, setting a meet record and equaling his lifetime best.
Sha'Carri Richardson won the Stawell Gift handicap race in Australia, only the third woman to win in the 148-year history of the event. Richardson clocked 13.08 for 120 meters on the uphill grass track.
Monae' Nichols won the women's long jump at the Miramar Invitational with a wind-aided jump of 7.07/23-2.5, making her the ninth best all-conditions performer in U.S. history. Her wind-legal jump of 6.95/22-9.75 in the series was a world-leading mark.
Now in its 25th 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.
2026 Winners: January 15, Jonathan Simms; January 22, Michelle Rohl; January 29, Josh Hoey; February 5, Roisin Willis; February 12, Jordan Geist; February 19, Cole Hocker; February 26, Cynthia McNamee; March 5, Chase Jackson; March 12, Lauren Harris; March 19, Garrett Kaalund; March 26, Cooper Lutkenhaus; April 2, Rudy Winkler; April 9, Max Thomas.
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.
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