MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, July 12–13 – In the days leading up to the Ed Murphey Classic, many aficionados eagerly awaited the meet-concluding women’s 400, with Olympic 400H double gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone determined to take another shot at the hurdle-less distance after a less-than-satisfying 49.43 victory at Pre seven days earlier.
But Saturday morning she announced she would not be competing due to a fever, leaving the meet still with some very solid fields tuning up for the U.S. Championships and World Champs Trials three weeks away, but perhaps without that megastar power.
Little did they know that the other 400 on the main program, the men’s version, would supply plenty of fireworks.
Prep Quincy Wilson had set the track world on fire in the 400 in ’24, much like McLaughlin did in her specialty as a high schooler. As a soph, he went from 45.87 the year before to an astonishing 44.20 by July, making the Olympic team and earning a gold for running in the prelims of the 4×4.
Wilson had had a fine ’25 to date, even if not quite as spectacular as ‘24, winning titles, running consistently in the 45s (45.27 best) and anchoring Bullis’ HS national 4x40records indoors and out — even if he suffered a few losses to other high schoolers. So when he lined up in Saturday’s 400, he was one of several looking for a return to form. In fact, there was a trio of other past long-sprint prep recordsetters — Will Sumner, Justin Robinson (whose U18 400 mark Wilson had broken) and Michael Cherry — all seeking to reach the highest levels again before the championships.
And then there was Steven Gardiner, the ’21 Olympic 400 champ with a 43.48 PR, lined up right next to Wilson (lane 5 to 6), pining for another comeback from injury.
When the gun went off, Wilson exploded as if shot from a cannon. He made up the stagger on Gardiner in the first 100 and blazed down the backstretch, making it clear he was either going to challenge his ‘24 PR or die a spectacular death.
Entering the homestretch, while Gardiner was calling it a day, the man with the fastest ‘25 mark in the field, Bryce Deadmon (44.30), tried to close on Wilson from lane 3. But not only was the high schooler not dying, he was also gathering for a final push to the line.
The 17-year-old crossed in a jaw-dropping 44.10, clipping 0.10 from his PR, smashing his HS and World Youth (U18) Records, and clocking the fourth-fastest time in the world this year. Deadmon, at 44.39, was the only other to break 45.
“If you go to see my races before, I haven’t been getting out,” he said after an energetic hug with Coach Joe Lee and slapping hands with dozens of fans along the homestretch fence. “My coach has been telling me, ‘Stay on our process; do what we got to do.’ And I went out there and shot out like a bullet.”
Meanwhile, the women’s 400 was still pretty intriguing without McLaughlin-Levrone. The NCAA recordsetter from ’23, Britton Wilson — in her first race since January, established herself as someone who might still work her way into the Team USA conversation with a 50.54.
The women’s 800 also provided hope for one of the sport’s greats, ’21 Olympic champ and AR holder Athing Mu-Nikolayev. A week after struggling to 2:03.44 at Pre, Mu-Nikolayev moved near the front early, trailing the pacesetter and Paris Olympics 4th-placer Shafiqua Maloney.
Maloney passed halfway in 56.93, with Mu-Nikolayev, Ajee’ Wilson — another on the comeback trail — and Olivia Baker following. The St. Vincent standout was never challenged in the final lap, winning in 1:58.13. Wilson was a solid 2nd in 1:59.53, not quite as fast as her 1:58.76 last month, and while Mu faded to 6th, her 2:00.42 was a big step forward.
Some of the meet’s best short sprint and hurdle marks came in the prelude to the evening’s main program. South Carolina’s T’Mars McCallum, coming of a spring that saw him run 19.83, but then place “only” 5th and 8th in the NCAA 100 and 200, dashed a barely-windy 9.87 (2.1). He then came back just 90 minutes later for an eyebrow-raising world-leading 19.73 (1.8).
’24 NCAA 100 & 200 champ McKenzie Long also had a great sprint double, with 10.88w (3.7) in the pre-program. She then blasted a near-PR 21.93 (1.2) in the main, the No. 2 time in the world this year.
Long, who had celebrated her 25th birthday the day before, lost an early lead, then surged ahead of 150m recordsetter Favor Ofili from lane 8 in the final 30m.
“Coming off the curve, I just had to compose and stay strong,” Long said. “That’s what I did and I’m very proud of myself.”
In the 100H, Olympic Trials runner-up Alaysha Johnson zipped to a 12.27w, also with a 2.1, after a legal 12.32 (1.9) in the pre-program (just 0.01 off her PR). The windy mark is No. 5 on the U.S. all-time, all-conditions list.
Also in the early session, Eric Edwards ran his best 110H time since this meet three years ago with a 13.20 (1.9), ahead of Ja’Qualon Scott (13.37). But Scott turned the tables when they raced again at night, ripping a windy 13.12 (3.3) to beat Jamal Britt (13.16) and Edwards (13.34). Scott had suffered a DQ in his last meet, the NCAAs, in the 110s before taking 2nd in the 400H.
Johnson trailed behind the super start by Christina Clemons (2nd, 12.39) early, but ran strongly over the final three hurdles to win going away. She talked afterward about overcoming thyroid issues and getting into therapy. “I feel like me again,” she said. “They talked me back into falling in love with track.”
There were outstanding marks and competition on the field, too. The men’s shot field included four of the top seven on the current world list and they staged a terrific battle, with three lead changes. Tripp Piperi finished best, launching his winning 71-9½ (21.88) in the final round to beat Chuk Enekwechi at 71-1¼ (21.67), Roger Steen at 71-¾ (21.66), Rajindra Campbell at 70-10 (21.59) and Josh Awotunde at 70-3¾ (20.43).
Cuba’s Davisleydis Velazco bounded a PR 47-11¼ (14.61) in the women’s triple jump to move into ’25’s global top 3 and top NCAA champ Winny Bii.
MURPHEY MEN’S RESULTS
100: I(0.1)–1. Davonte Howell (Cay) 10.07; 2. Bryan Levell (Jam) 10.07; 3. Ryiem Forde (Jam) 10.09; 4. Nigel Green (US) 10.15.
II(2.1)–1. T’Mars McCallum (US) 9.87w; 2. Davonte Howell (Cay) 9.93w; 3. Traunard Folson (US) 9.97w; 4. Rikkoi Brathwaite (BVI) 10.01w; 5. Egwero Ogho-Ogene (Ngr) 10.09w.
III(1.4)–1. Denzel Siamsialela (Zim) 10.03 PR; 2. Deron Dudley (US) 10.06 PR.
IV(2.0)–1. Adekalu Nicholas Fakorede (Ngr) 10.12; 2. Daveyon Blacknell (US) 10.14.
200: I(1.8)–1. McCallum 19.73 PR (WL, A) (=20, x W);
2. Adrian Kerr (Jam) 20.09 PR; 3. Denzel Siamsialela (Zim) 20.20 PR; 4. Nazzio John (Grn) 20.27 NR; 5. Cameron Miller (US) 20.30; 6. Lance Lang (US) 20.42; 7. Josephus Lyles (US) 20.45.
II(2.5)–1. Nigel Green (US) 20.28w.
III(3.6)–1. Traunard Folson (US) 20.35w.
400: I–1. Quincy Wilson (US) 44.10 WYR AYR, HSR (old records 44.20 Wilson ‘24; 2, 2 WJ, AJ);
2. Bryce Deadmon (US) 44.39; 3. Delano Kenedy (Jam) 45.00; 4. Elija Godwin (US) 45.21; 5. Will Sumner (US) 45.42 PR; 6. Justin Robinson (US) 45.45; 7. Michael Cherry (US) 45.75.
II–1. Takudzwa Chiyangwa (Zim) 45.19; 2. Antonio Watson (Jam) 45.24.
800: 1. Abdullahi Hassan (Can) 1:46.16; 2. Tyrice Taylor (Jam) 1:46.46; 3. Sean Dolan (US) 1:46.52; 4. Christian Jackson (US) 1:47.25.
1500: 1. Luke Houser (US) 3:34.57; 2. Cooper Teare (US) 3:34.69; 3. Craig Engels (US) 3:35.83; 4. Jack Crull (US) 3:35.91 PR; 5. Liam Murphy (US) 3:37.41; 6. George Couttie (GB) 3:37.67 PR.
110H: I(3.3)–1. Ja’Qualon Scott (US) 13.12w; 2. Jamal Britt (US) 13.16w; 3. Eric Edwards (US) 13.34w; 4. Rasheem Brown (Cay) 13.39w; 5. Tai Brown (US) 13.40w; 6. Max Hairston (US) 13.52w.
II(1.9)–1. Eric Edwards (US) 13.20; 2. Scott 13.37; 3. Brown 13.43; 4. Adesola 13.45; 5. Brown 13.45 PR; 6. Hairston 13.55 PR.
III(1.6)–1. Britt 13.44; 2. Edward Williams (US) 13.56 PR.
400H: 1. Rasheeme Griffith (Bar) 49.45.
Field Events
PV: 1. Nate Richartz (US) 18-9¼ (5.72); 2. Hussain Asim Al-Hizam (Sau) 18-9¼ NR; 3. Matt Ludwig (US) 18-5¼ (5.62); 4. Cole Walsh (US) 18-5¼); 5. Keaton Daniel (US) 18-1¼ (5.52); 6. Zach Bradford (US) 18-1¼.
LJ: 1. Carey McLeod (Jam) 27-½ (8.24); 2. Marquis Dendy (US) 26-10 (8.18); 3. Jeremiah Davis (US) 26-7¼ (8.11); 4. Will Williams (US) 26-3 (8.00); 5. Emanuel Archibald (Guy) 26-2¾ (7.99); 6. Nikaoli Williams (Jam) 26-2¼ (7.98); 7. Cameron Crump (US) 26-¼ (7.93).
TJ: 1. Russell Robinson (US) 56-8¾; 2. Du Mapaya (Zim) 56-3¼ (17.15); 3. Salif Mane (US) 55-9¼ (17.00); 4. Kaiwan Culmer (Bah) 55-9¼ (17.00) PR; 5. Jah-Nhai Perinchief (Ber) 55-7½ (16.95); 6. Will Claye (US) 55-3½ (16.85).
SP: 1. Tripp Piperi (US) 71-9½ (21.88); 2. Chuk Enekwechi (Ngr) 71-1¼ (21.67); 3. Roger Steen (US) 71-¾ (21.66); 4. Rajindra Campbell (Jam) 70-10 (21.59); 5. Josh Awotunde (US) 70-3¾ (21.43); 6. Uziel Muñoz (Mex) 66-5¼ (20.25); 7. Nik Curtiss (US) 65-8¾ (20.03).
DT: 1. Reggie Jagers (US) 212-10 (64.87); 2. Roje Stona (Jam) 210-0 (64.01); 3. Mitchell Weber (US) 207-0 (63.10); 4. Andrew Evans (US) 202-10 (61.82).
JT: 1. Curtis Thompson (US) 265-4 (80.89); 2. Marc Minichello (US) 250-0 (76.21); 3. Dash Sirmon (US) 237-3 (72.31).
MURPHEY WOMEN’S RESULTS
100: I(3.7)–1. McKenzie Long (US) 10.88w; 2. Rosemary Chukwuma (Ngr) 10.90w; 3. Leah Bertrand (Tri) 11.00w; 4. Jadyn Mays (US) 11.01w; 5. Deajah Stevens (US) 11.07w; 6. Cambrea Sturgis (US) 11.19w. II(1.9)–1. Jada Mowatt (US) 10.99 PR.
200(1.2): 1. Long 21.93; 2. Favour Ofili (Ngr) 22.00; 3. Brittany Brown (US) 22.17; 4. Mays 22.31; 5. Stevens 22.47; 6. Jessika Gbai (CI) 22.86; 7. Sturgis 22.97.
400: I–1. Britton Wilson (US) 50.54; 2. Leah Anderson (Jam) 50.90; 3. Talitha Diggs (US) 51.03; 4. Vimbayi Maisvorewa (Zim) 51.08.
800: I–1. Shafiqua Maloney (StV) 1:58.13; 2. Ajee’ Wilson (US) 1:59.53; 3. Rachel Gearing (US) 1:59.70; 4. McKenna Keegan (US) 2:00.05; 5. Veronica Hargrave (US) 2:00.11 PR; 6. Athing Mu-Nikolayev (US) 2:00.42; 7. Olivia Baker (US) 2:00.46; 8. Nia Akins (US) 2:00.76; 9. Michaela Rose (US) 2:00.94; 10. Sophia Gorriaran (US) 2:01.62.
1500: 1. Laurie Barton (US) 4:03.46 PR; 2. Gracie Morris (US) 4:04.05 PR; 3. Lindsey Butler (US) 4:06.28 PR; 4. Rachel McArthur (US) 4:06.87; 5. Grace Boone (US) 4:06.90 PR; 6. Ellie Leather (GB) 4:07.39; 7. Yolanda Ngarambe (Swe) 4:07.74; 8. Lorena Rangel (Mex) 4:07.83 PR.
100H: I(2.1)–1. Alaysha Johnson (US) 12.27w (a-c: 6, 10 A);
2. Christina Clemons (US) 12.39w; 3. Destiny Huven (US) 12.45w; 4. Yanique Thompson (Jam) 12.65w; 5. Gabbi Cunningham (US) 12.78w; 6. Marcia Sey (GB) 12.81w; 7. Evonne Britton (Gha) 12.88w; 8. Amber Hughes (US) 12.95w.
II(1.9)–1. Johnson 12.32; 2. Huven 12.55 PR; 3. Clemons 12.57; 4. Cunningham 12.80; 5. Thompson 12.81; 6. Sey 12.93; 7. Britton 12.95.
III(2.3)–1. Myreanna Bebe (Hai) 12.79w; 2. Sydni McMillan (US) 12.92w.
400H: 1. Tia Adana Belle (Bar) 54.67; 2. Alanah Yukich (Aus) 55.04 PR; 3. Ashley Miller (Zim) 55.09 NR; 4. Sanique Walker (Jam) 55.30 PR; 5. Bianca Stubler (US) 55.37 PR; 6. Abbey Glynn (US) 55.56; 7. Cassandra Tate (US) 56.00.
Field Events
PV: 1. Chloe Timberg (US) 15-¼ (4.58); 2. Gabby Hoke (US) 14-2½ (4.33); 3. Anicka Newell (Can) 14-2½.
LJ: 1. Jasmine Akins (US) 22-1¾ (6.75) PR; 2. Tyra Gittens-Spotsville (Tri) 22-¼w (6.71); 3. Sydney Willits (US) 21-8¾ (6.62); 4. Aislinn McElhaney (US) 21-3¼ (6.48); 5. Kayla Woods (US) 21-¾ (6.42).
TJ: 1. Davisleidis L. Velazco (Cub) 47-11¼ (14.61) PR; 2. Winnie Bii (Ken) 46-4¾w (14.14); 3. Maoko Takashima (Jpn) 45-7 (13.89); 4. Mariko Morimoto (Jpn) 45-4½ (13.83).
SP: 1. Abby Moore (US) 62-4 (19.00) PR; 2. Jessica Ramsey (US) 61-6¾ (18.76); 3. Abria Smith (US) 61-6¼ (18.75); 4. Myejoi Williams (US) 59-7¾ (18.18) PR; 5. Akaoma Odeluga (US) 58-11¼ (17.96); 6. Jessica Woodard (US) 58-10¾ (17.95).
DT: 1. Lagi Tausaga (US) 204-8 (62.38); 2. Alida van Daalen (Neth) 202-11 (61.85); 3. Gabi Jacobs (US) 195-2 (59.50); 4. Cierra Jackson (US) 193-4 (58.93); 5. Elena Bruckner (US) 191-6 (58.36).
JT: 1. Madison Wiltrout (US) 182-3 (55.54); 2. Ariana Ince (US) 179-10 (54.83); 3. Maddie Harris (US) 178-1 (54.28); 4. Elizabeth Bailey (US) 169-11 (51.79).
