Quincy Wilson, who became the youngest Olympic gold medallist in track and field history two years ago by running a leg on the 4 x 400 at age 16, was beaten yesterday for the US U20 400m title by fellow senior Jayden Deleon. Deleon won the US U20 title in Eugene, Oregon by coming from behind in the final 50 and running a big pb of 44.52 (previous pb of 45.38) as Wilson ran 44.84. 44.52 made Deleon the 2nd fastest high schooler in history behind Wilson. Wilson owns the two fastest 400m times in US high school history as he ran 44.10 in July of 2025 and 44.11 in July of 2024.
By going 1-2 in Eugene, both phenoms qualified to represent Team USA in the 400m at the World U20 championships which will be held at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon from August 5–9.
Earlier in the year, the two 18-year-olds also faced each other at New Balance Nationals Indoors. That proved to be an epic race where Wilson edged Deleon, who like Wilson is from the Washington, DC area (Oakland Mills High School Class of 2026, Columbia, MD), by the narrowest of margins – 0.01 – as Wilson ran 45.37 to Deleon’s 45.38. We won’t have to wait until Worlds for the two to clash again. Both Wilson and Deleon are expected to race the New Balance Nationals Outdoor tomorrow (Sunday) at Franklin Field in Philadelphia where the boys’ 400 is scheduled to start at 11:58 am ET…