Noah Lyles appreciated Christian Miller, the 100m specialist from the University of Georgia, for withdrawing from the 100m and 200m finals at the New Balance Nationals to focus on the US Olympic Trials instead. Miller ran the 100m semifinals in a time of 9.95s.
The teenager ran the 100m at the Pure Athletics Spring Invitational in 9.93s to set a new personal best time and break the American U20 record and U18 world records.
To maintain his win streak, the Creekside High School graduate competed at the New Balance Nationals and clocked 9.95s in the 100m semifinals. However, his decision to rule himself out of the finals was in virtue of a bigger goal achievement.
In an exclusive interview with CITIUS Mag, Miller talked about being laser-focused on the US Olympic Trials rather than competing in the New Balance Nationals finals.
"The Olympic Trials is the main goal that we’re trying to work towards... I could’ve gone and done the 100, I could’ve gone and done the 200, but the smartest thing for me was to be fresh going into the Trials and being able to run my best. I just chose to come out here, get a prelim in, do a semi to get my rhythm back, and then just prepare for the Trials."
The mindset particularly caught the attention of the six-time world champion Noah Lyles, who shares the aim of winning the 100m and 200m at the Trials. He tweeted:
"Very Smart, nothing better than having confidence and rhythm going into a championship track meet."
Noah Lyles, the reigning 100m world champion, has officially announced entry at the Trials.
"I’m not putting any limits" - Noah Lyles on Quincy Wilson's achievement as a high schooler
Many a time, the 26-year-old is spotted appreciating the athletic prowess of the high school or collegiate athletes who exhibit blistering speeds in their respective races. Earlier in 2024, the Bulis Track and Field sophomore, Quincy Wilson, ran the 400m in 45.19s at the Florida Relays 2024.
The win came after he set the US high school 400m record at the New Balance Indoor Track and Field Championships. Noah Lyles, always in support of the youngsters emerging in the track world, tweeted after Wilson's achievement.
"He is HIM!"
He further wrote:
"I’m not putting any limits on @QuincyWilson5"
Noah Lyles was the 200m bronze medalist in the Tokyo Olympics. But after attaining the 'sprint treble' at the 2023 World Championships, he is entering the Olympic Trials roster as one of the top seeds.