USATF Outdoor Championships 2026: Day 2 Reactions – Noah Lyles 9.79, Sha'Carri Wins 3rd 100m Title

The sprint finals delivered on every promise. Noah Lyles ran a world-leading 9.79 and Sha'Carri Richardson put on a show in the women's 100m. The 800m prelims produced some genuine surprises.

We discuss:
FINALS
Women's 100m — Sha'Carri Richardson, 10.77
Richardson was in a different gear, pulling away from the field by halfway to win in 10.77 — equaling her season's best and breaking the Icahn Stadium record. Star Athletics teammate Kayla White was second in 10.90, Tamari Davis third in 11.00. Richardson has now won three of the last four U.S. 100m titles.

Men's 100m — Noah Lyles, 9.79
Lyles delivered when it mattered most — his eighth USATF outdoor title and a wind-legal world lead of 9.79, equaling his lifetime best. Ronnie Baker ran a strong season's best of 9.88 for second, Kenny Bednarek third just 0.005 seconds behind Baker, also at 9.88.

PRELIMS

Women's 400m heats: Aaliyah Butler leads all qualifiers winning heat 2 in 50.53, Sanaria Butler won the final heat from lane 1 in 51.10. Alexis Holmes took heat 1 in 51.71. Britton Wilson grabbed the last final spot in 52.12.

Men's 400m heats: Christopher Bailey (45.14) looks like the favorite after a win from an inside lane. The big news — 2024 Olympic champion Quincy Hall fails to make the final, finishing sixth in 46.47. Hall has struggled all season.

Men's 800m heats: Cooper Lutkenhaus and Hobbs Kessler go 1-2 in heat 1 in 1:45.83 and 1:45.93; Wes Ferguson leads all qualifiers with a fierce homestretch move to win in 1:45.17; Atlanta Track Club goes 1-2 in another heat — Sean Dolan (1:46.11) and Camden Marshall (1:46.40); Defending champion Donavan Brazier fails to advance, finishing fourth outside the time qualifiers in 1:46.93

Women's 800m heats:
Roisin Willis takes heat 1 in 1:59.83, overhauling Meghan Hunter in the final 50 meters; A tactical heat 2 produces only two qualifiers — Nia Akins (2:01.78) and Juliette Whittaker (2:02.22) advance. Ajee' Wilson finishes third in 2:02.45 and does not make the final; High school standout Paige Sheppard of Union Catholic (NJ) runs 2:00.99 for fifth in heat 1 — fast enough for the last time qualifier spot, putting a high schooler in the final alongside the pros

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