EUGENE, OR – Vashti Cunningham leaped her way to another U.S. title.
Cunningham cleared the bar at 6 feet, 5 ½ inches to win the women’s high jump at the U.S. track and field championships. It’s her season-best mark.
It’s Cunningham’s seventh national title. The win earned the 27-year-old jumper a trip to next month’s world championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Sha’Carri Richardson arrested in alleged domestic violence incident, police say
Cunningham told reporters Friday’s victory boosted her confidence ahead of the world championships.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy about a win in my life,” Cunningham said after the win. “I’ve had a rough season and it’s just been long. When you don’t know what it’s gonna look like at the end, you’re just going through it day by day. Feels so long and so exhausting. You’re wondering, like, ‘Was I just good for a moment?’ But today, God really showed up for me. I think (the win) has re-sparked my confidence.”
USA TODAY Sports is on the ground in Eugene and has the highlights from day two at Hayward Field:
Kenny Bednarek wins gold in men’s 100
Bednarek ran a personal-best 9.79 to win his first national championship in what was a competitive 100.
Bednarek got a good start, created just enough separation around the 80-meter mark and crossed the finish line in first place.
Remarkably, Bednarek told reporters he started feeling cramps in both his calves roughly 50 meters into the race, but was able to withstand the slight discomfort.
‘I knew I was capable of running that time,’ Bednarek said. ‘Having a cramp in the middle (of the race) and not being able to push the way I wanted to toward the end, I know I have something way faster than that.’
Courtney Lindsey took second with a time of 9.82 and T’Mars McCallum placed third, clocking in at 9.83.
Bednarek, Lindsey and McCallum all recorded personal bests in the event as they qualified for the world championships.
‘It’s about damn time,’ Bednarek said after winning his first national championship. ‘I always knew I had the capability of doing it but I just had to believe in myself. This year I feel like I started living up to my expectations.’
Noah Lyles scratched from the 100 competition. Lyles ran a 10.05 to win his preliminary heat in the men’s 100 on Thursday but elected not to compete on Friday. Lyles already qualified for the 100 at the world championships by virtue of being the defending champion.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden makes statement in women’s 100
There was no doubt who the winner was in the women’s 100.
Jefferson-Wooden led from start to finish in what was a convincing victory, running a personal-best and world-leading time of 10.65. It’s tied for the fifth fastest time in the history of the event.
‘Amazing,’ Jefferson-Wooden said following the win. ‘I’ve been dreaming of days like this, and it’s finally starting to come true. Right now the sky is the limit. I just got to keep working toward bigger and better things.’
Kayla White (10.84) and Aleia Hobbs (10.92) rounded out the top three.
Most of the news came before the women’s 100 final.
Sha’Carri Richardson withdrew from the 100 at the U.S. championships on Friday. Richardson was arrested earlier this week for an alleged domestic violence incident.
The sprinter does have a bye into this year’s world championships in the 100 as the reigning champion.
The 25-year-old sprinter has elected to run in Sunday’s 200, according to USA track and field.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone cruises in 400
McLaughlin-Levrone left the other sprinters behind her in the preliminary round of the women’s 400. McLaughlin-Levrone raced to an early lead and cruised the final 150 meters. She crossed the finish line with a time of 49.59. She has the fastest time entering the semifinals.
McLaughlin-Levrone is the 400-meter hurdles world-record holder and two-time Olympic champion in the event, but decided to run the open 400 this season.
Quincy Wilson places fourth in 400 heat
The teenage phenom raced to a fourth-place finish in the opening round of the men’s 400. Wilson had a late surge but was unable to pass the three runners ahead of him. Wilson’s time of 45.39 wasn’t good enough to qualify for the next round.
Wilson made headway last year for earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. The 17-year-old owns the under-18 400 world record with a time of 44.10.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.