The Denver Gazette

Lyles edges Knighton for national title in 200

The Associated Press

EUGENE, ORE. • Noah Lyles pulled in front of teenage sensation Erriyon Knighton at the finish to win the 200 meters at the U.S. track and field championships Sunday.

“I do what it takes to win,” proclaimed Lyles, who cheekily pointed to Knighton as he hit the tape in 19.67 seconds.

Lyles won the 200 at the 2019 world championships in Doha and the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. He’ll be challenged again by Knighton in the worlds next month in Eugene.

Temperatures in the mid-90s greeted athletes for the final day of the competition at Hayward Field. Events moved to earlier in the day because of the heat.

The top three finishers in each event will be on the U.S. team for the world championships, given they have met the required performance standard.

Olympic gold medalist Athing Mu was challenged the last 100 meters by Ajee Wilson, but pushed to finish first in the 800 in 1:57.16.

“It was a fast field, we were all together kind of throughout the whole race. I felt like we’d still be together the last 100, I just wanted to try my best to finish strong,” Mu said. “Ajee was right on me, I had to push a little harder to get to the line.”

Sha’Carri Richardson did not qualify for Sunday’s 200 final, her only remaining chance to make the U.S. team for the worlds. Her time in the semifinal, 22.47 seconds, put her out of contention. She did not comment to reporters afterward.

Richardson also failed to make the field for Friday’s 100 meter final, which was won by Melissa Jefferson of Coastal Carolina. Richardson’s failure to qualify for the finals in either race was something of a surprise, given her form at recent meets.

With her ever-changing hair color and long nails, Richardson grabbed attention at last year’s Olympic trails with a statement-making win in the 100. But she was suspended because of a positive test for marijuana, which kept her off the team sent to the Tokyo Games.

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2022-06-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://daily.denvergazette.com/article/282080575521453

The Gazette, Colorado Springs