Quincy Wilson, the 17-year-old sprinting prodigy from Team USA, showcased his extraordinary talent at the Ed Murphey Classic in Memphis, clocking an impressive 44.10 seconds in the 400m event on July 13. This remarkable performance not only marked a new personal best for Wilson, improving upon his previous record of 44.20 seconds set in July 2024, but also made him the fastest U18 athlete in the history of the 400m—an impressive feat given that there is no official world record category for his age group recognized by World Athletics.
Pending confirmation by the USATF Records Committee, Wilson’s time stands as the second-fastest recorded by a U20 athlete and ties for the fourth-best global time in 2025. Competing confidently from lane five, Wilson navigated the first 200 meters smoothly and pulled ahead decisively in the final stretch, securing victory against a strong field that included notable opponents like Olympic champion Steven Gardiner from the Bahamas. His nearest rival, Bryce Deadmon, finished in 44.39 seconds, 0.29 seconds behind.
This victory comes on the heels of a rigorous high school season for Wilson, who also contributed to the USA men’s 4x400m relay team’s gold medal at the World Championships in Paris last summer, participating in the preliminary heats. With the US Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, approaching, which serves as trials for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wilson’s recent performance positions him as a strong contender for future successes.
Wilson’s achievements highlight the potential of young athletes in track and field, and his trajectory points to a bright future as he continues to break barriers and set new standards in sprinting. His determination and talent inspire hope for the upcoming events, where he aims to shine even brighter on the world stage.