Mini recap: USATF Champs
August 18, 2025
With the USA Track & Field Championships behind us, I wanted to recap a few things I found notable during the weekend at Hayward Field. This list is unabashedly distance-oriented, but who would expect anything less from a mileage fiend like me.
Here’s my list, in no particular order:
Emily Infeld wins her first national title in the 10,000m
35-year-old Emily Infeld won the hearts of track fans and her first national title in the 10,000m in 31:43.56.
Valarie Allman gets the meet record in the discus
Allman threw a huge 71.45m, breaking the meet record and earning her seventh national title.
Shelby Houlihan is back
Whether you are team burrito or not, Houlihan put herself back on the map with a 5000m dub in 15:31.61.
Donavan Brazier is also back…
After years of injury, Brazier had a great return with a 800m win in 1:42.16.
…but Cooper Lutkenhaus steals the show
16-year-old Lutkenhaus ran a blazing 1:42.27 in the 800m, smashing the U18 world record and earning the fourth fastest time of any American man.
Nikki Hiltz does it again in the 1500m
In a tight final 200m, Hiltz outkicked Sinclaire Johnson to win the 1500m in 4:03.15. This is their sixth consecutive national title in the event.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden swept the sprints
Jefferson-Wooden won both the 100m (10.65) and 200m (21.84), becoming the first American woman to do so at USATF Champs since 2003.
Cole Hocker won the 5000m?
To be honest I didn’t see it coming, but I was happy to see Hocker nab first in the 5000m in 13:26.45, especially after a third place finish in the 1500m.
Jonah Koech surprises in the 1500m
Speaking of the 1500m, Jonah Koech beat several of the current fastest 1500m runners to win in 3:30.17, proving just how deep the US men’s 1500m field is right now.
Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek brought some fire
Lyles won the 200m in 19.63, but a stare down with Bednarek escalated when Bednarek pushed Lyles post-race. A little spice for the two sprinters headed into Worlds.