Olympic track and field trials results: Quincy Wilson falls short of Olympics

Wilson’s history-making, joy-inducing bid to claim an automatic Olympic berth at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials came to an end Monday night. But Wilson would not bow out without a fight. A phenom who finished his sophomore year at Bullis School a few weeks ago, Wilson passed three sprinters in the homestretch to finish sixth in 44.94 seconds at an age when his friends are busy trying to get a driver’s license.

“He’s a small guy running against bigger guys,” Bullis Coach Joe Lee said. “But the heart inside is unmeasurable.”

Though his run at an individual spot ended Monday night, Wilson could still become a Paris Olympian. USA Track & Field can choose two additional 400-meter sprinters for its 4x400 relay pool, with all U.S. trials entrants eligible. Based solely on performance over the past four days, Wilson has built a compelling case. The roster submission deadline is July 7.

If chosen, Wilson would become the youngest American man to compete in track and field at the Olympics. He would break a mark held since 1900 by Arthur Newton, who ran the 2,500-meter steeplechase at 17 years 166 days.

Monday’s race sped away from Wilson at the start. He reached 300 meters in eighth place out of nine entrants. Wearing a blue and red racing suit with Bullis across the chest and a matching sleeve on his right arm, Wilson attempted to surge to the front. The pack, led by upset winner Quincy Hall (44.17), 2022 world champion Michael Norman (44.41) and Chris Bailey (44.42), would not allow him to catch up.

Already a known phenom around the D.C. area and among track intelligentsia, Wilson launched himself into national stardom over the weekend. He sprinted alongside — and usually past — rivals nearly twice his age who towered over him, and he enchanted a network television audience with his beaming smile and incandescent charm.

“He’s the most humble, kind but yet fierce competitor I’ve ever been around,” Lee said. “When that switch flips, it flips.”

In Friday’s opening round, Wilson broke a national high school record that had stood for 42 years, winning his heat in 44.66 seconds. In the face of doubt he could maintain his stamina throughout the trials’ grueling rounds, Wilson reset the record to 44.59 in Sunday’s semifinals, zooming from fifth to third over the final 100 meters to qualify for the final.

Wilson ran his first track meet at 8 years old and found the thing he was meant to do. He loved that he could rely on himself and that the outcome often relied on the amount of work put in.

“You’re running for yourself,” he said. “I love team sports, but you’re one on one — who’s the best? If someone is better than you, you can prove it on the track.”

Wilson has many years ahead to make the Olympics on his own. But he already has proved so much on the track.

This story will be updated.