USATF Outdoor Championships 2026: Day 3 Reactions – Nikki Hiltz and Nathan Green KICK to U.S. titles

Day 3 delivered upsets, dynasties extended, and a mayor in the stands — NYC's Zohran Mamdani made it out to Randall's Island for what has become the sports event of New York's summer, alongside the Knicks' NBA title and the World Cup.

We discuss:
FINALS
Women's 400m — Aaliyah Butler, 49.93
In her first full season as a professional, the 22-year-old ran a perfectly executed race to win her first USATF outdoor title. Alexis Holmes was second in 50.47.

Men's 400m — Chris Bailey, 44.39
Bailey adds an outdoor title to his 2025 U.S. indoor crown — but not without drama. Justin Robinson crossed first in 44.31 before being disqualified for a lane violation, promoting Bailey to gold.

Women's steeplechase — Lexy Halladay-Lowry, 9:12.54
A stadium record and a successful title defense. Halladay-Lowry let Gabbi Jennings lead the first six laps before unleashing a devastating final 600m to pull away. Jennings held on for second in 9:17.42 — a career-best championship finish.

Men's steeplechase — Nate Mountain, 8:13.81
The upset of the meet. Mountain finished ninth at NCAAs just six weeks ago. On Saturday, he dove for the line to beat Carson Williams by 0.07 seconds (8:13.88 — a lifetime best for Williams). A national champion nobody saw coming.

Women's 1500m — Nikki Hiltz, 4:06.92
Eight consecutive U.S. 1500m titles, stretching back to 2023 indoors. Hiltz ran a 58.80 final 400m to hold off Addy Wiley by 0.04 seconds, who in turn beat Emily Mackay by 0.02. Three athletes separated by six hundredths of a second at the line.

Men's 1500m — Nathan Green, 3:50.27
A comically slow tactical race set up a predictable conclusion — Green showed his tactical savvy with a 51.65 final 400m to take the win.

Women's 100m hurdles — Alia Armstrong, 12.38
The unsponsored hurdler wins her first national title in a stacked final, running a season's best 12.38 to beat Alaysha Johnson by 0.04 seconds. A breakthrough moment for an athlete still without a shoe deal.

Women's pole vault — Sandi Morris, 4.90m
Ten U.S. titles. Morris cleared 4.90m on her first attempt to defend her 2025 outdoor title.

Men's javelin — Curtis Thompson, 87.59m
The greatest throw saved for last. Thompson trailed UGA's Davis after an 82.36m final-attempt effort, then launched 87.59m on his own last throw — improving his mark by over 10 meters — to win his sixth U.S. title and complete a four-peat.

Plus more from the 200m and 400m hurdles prelims.

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