2016 U.S. Olympic Team TrialsJul 9, 2016 by Taylor Dutch
High School Stars Who Could Seriously Make the Olympic Team
High School Stars Who Could Seriously Make the Olympic Team
Several high school stars have shown their ability to contend and even beat the best in the United States. Heading into the finals of these Olympic Trials,
Several high school stars have shown their ability to contend and even beat the best in the United States. Heading into the finals of these Olympic Trials, here are the high school athletes who could seriously make this Olympic team.
Michael Norman and Noah Lyles
Olympic Champion LaShawn Merritt may have clocked the fastest time of the year in the 200m semi-final (19.74), but he will have two high school athletes seated on each side of him in lanes four and six in the 200m final. Noah Lyles and Michael Norman, recent high school graduates committed to Florida and USC, respectively, have found themselves in a position to make the Olympic team at just 18-years-old.
Footage courtesy of NBCOlympics (http://liveextra.nbcsports.com) and USOC
Lyles won his semi-final section in 20.26, just one day after clocking a blazing fast 20.04 (tied for No. 2 all-time all-conditions) in the first round. Lyles beat seasoned pro and collegiate veterans Kendal Williams, Dedric Dukes, Jarrion Lawson and Walter Dix.
Norman shocked the Hayward crowd on Friday when he won his semi-final section by beating Olympic champion and 100m winner Justin Gatlin. Norman’s winning time of 20.21 beat Gatlin by 0.03 and the remainder of the field that included Isiah Young, Wallace Spearmon, and Michael Rodgers.
The first two rounds of the 200m aren’t necessarily clear indicators of a final outcome, as the finalists will surely bring their “A” game this afternoon, but if Lyles and Norman continue to progress with the same momentum, Team USA could be made up of 2/3 high school athletes.
Sydney McLaughlin
World youth champion Sydney McLaughlin clocked the second-fastest time of the day in the 400m hurdles (55.23) on her way to an automatic berth in the final on Sunday. The 16-year-old hurdle phenom not only won her section, but she took down pros T’erea Brown, NCAA record-holder Kori Carter and USC All American Jaide Stepter in the process. She also won her section of the first round by beating All American Kiah Seymour and Carter.
Footage courtesy of NBCOlympics (http://liveextra.nbcsports.com) and USOC
Heading into the final, the only athlete with a faster seed-time is 2013 world silver medalist Dalilah Muhammad, who was also a world youth champion in 2007.
With McLaughlin dominating each section and each competitor she has been faced against at these Trials, her chances of making Team USA are looking favorable right now.
Stay up-to-date on all Olympic Trials action by following FloTrack’s LIVE UPDATES starting at 4:00 p.m. PT.
Michael Norman and Noah Lyles
Olympic Champion LaShawn Merritt may have clocked the fastest time of the year in the 200m semi-final (19.74), but he will have two high school athletes seated on each side of him in lanes four and six in the 200m final. Noah Lyles and Michael Norman, recent high school graduates committed to Florida and USC, respectively, have found themselves in a position to make the Olympic team at just 18-years-old. .@Mike_Norman22 is a BEAST. #RoadToRio https://t.co/w5JnAOV4dl
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) July 9, 2016
Footage courtesy of NBCOlympics (http://liveextra.nbcsports.com) and USOC
Lyles won his semi-final section in 20.26, just one day after clocking a blazing fast 20.04 (tied for No. 2 all-time all-conditions) in the first round. Lyles beat seasoned pro and collegiate veterans Kendal Williams, Dedric Dukes, Jarrion Lawson and Walter Dix.
Norman shocked the Hayward crowd on Friday when he won his semi-final section by beating Olympic champion and 100m winner Justin Gatlin. Norman’s winning time of 20.21 beat Gatlin by 0.03 and the remainder of the field that included Isiah Young, Wallace Spearmon, and Michael Rodgers.
The first two rounds of the 200m aren’t necessarily clear indicators of a final outcome, as the finalists will surely bring their “A” game this afternoon, but if Lyles and Norman continue to progress with the same momentum, Team USA could be made up of 2/3 high school athletes.
Sydney McLaughlin
World youth champion Sydney McLaughlin clocked the second-fastest time of the day in the 400m hurdles (55.23) on her way to an automatic berth in the final on Sunday. The 16-year-old hurdle phenom not only won her section, but she took down pros T’erea Brown, NCAA record-holder Kori Carter and USC All American Jaide Stepter in the process. She also won her section of the first round by beating All American Kiah Seymour and Carter. Sydney McLaughlin moves on to the Womens 400m hurdles finals!
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) July 8, 2016
Did we mention she's ONLY 16! #RoadToRio https://t.co/HYYcBTCKxv
Footage courtesy of NBCOlympics (http://liveextra.nbcsports.com) and USOC
Heading into the final, the only athlete with a faster seed-time is 2013 world silver medalist Dalilah Muhammad, who was also a world youth champion in 2007.
With McLaughlin dominating each section and each competitor she has been faced against at these Trials, her chances of making Team USA are looking favorable right now.
Stay up-to-date on all Olympic Trials action by following FloTrack’s LIVE UPDATES starting at 4:00 p.m. PT.