Each month, the USATF Youth Programs department recognizes our youth athletes, coaches, and other contributors throughout the nation.
At just 16 years old, Quincy Wilson has rewritten history, becoming the youngest male track and field gold medalist in Team USA's storied legacy. Wilson’s golden moment came as the leadoff runner in the heats of the 4x400 relay, capping an unforgettable year on the track. The Maryland high school standout shattered the world U18 record in the 400 meters not once but three times, starting with a remarkable 44.66 in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials heats. He followed that with an impressive 44.59 in the semifinals before blazing to a 44.94 in the final, earning a sixth-place finish among elite competitors. Wilson wasn’t done yet. On July 19 at the Holloway Invitational in Gainesville, Florida, he clocked a jaw-dropping 44.20, breaking his own record yet again and climbing to No. 2 on the all-time world U20 performer list. Congratulations, Quincy, on an extraordinary season and this well-deserved honor!
On November 2, 2024, USATF in conjunction with New York Road Runners hosted the 3rd Annual USATF National Youth 5 km Championships as part of the NYRR Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K which afforded more than fifty of our USATF youth athletes ages 13-16, the opportunity to be a part of an iconic event with Elite and Olympic athletes running through the streets of Manhattan and finishing at the famous New York Marathon finish line in Central Park! Congratulations to our 1st place finisher in the girls division 18 years old Zariel Macchia from Shirley, New Jersey in a time of17:27, and first place finisher in the Boys Division, 16 year old Tyler Mogavero from Haverhill, Massachusetts in a time of 16:11. USATF extends congratulations to all of the race finishers at the 2024 USATF National Youth 5 km Championships! Results are available at www.athletic.net. We look forward to the 2025 edition of the USATF National Youth 5 km Championships!
If you have a Youth Athlete, Youth Coach, or Youth Program Contributor that should be recognized in the Youth Spotlight area, please submit information and photos to youthprograms@usatf.org for consideration.