Lyles' swift 100 win earns him USATF Athlete of the Week honors

INDIANAPOLIS -- Running a world-leading 9.79 to win the men's 100 at the Toyota USATF outdoor Championships, Noah Lyles (Clermont, FL/USATF Florida) earned recognition as the 28th USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2026.

The reigning Olympic champion in the 100 and a four-time world champ and American record holder in the 200, Lyles blazed down the Icahn Stadium straight in New York City to win his third USATF 100 title. His time equaled his lifetime best and ranks him as the equal No. 6 all-time U.S. performer.

In the heats, Lyles clocked a wind-aided 9.76 to tie for the No. 7 spot on the all-conditions U.S. all-time performer list.

Other top performances from last week:

• Jaydin Blackwell bettered his own world record in the T38 men's 400 at the USATF Championships, clocking 47.23 to chop more than .7 off the ratified record.
• Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won the women's 200 at the USATF Championships by more than a half-second in a season best of 21.69, the fastest time by an American this year.
• Cooper Lutkenhaus, 17, became one of the youngest men ever to win a USATF outdoor title, capturing the 800 gold by more than a second in 1:43.48.
• Linden Williamson shattered the T34 American women’s 400 record with a 57.72 and equaled the American record in the women's T34 800 at the USATF Championships with a 1:57.07.
• Nikki Hiltz won a fourth straight women's 1500 title at the USATF Championships, making it eight in a row including indoor championships.
• Curtis Thompson used a clutch sixth round throw of 87.59 to win his fourth straight men's javelin title at the USATF Championships.
• Valarie Sion won her eighth straight women's discus gold at the USATF Championships by more than two meters with a best of 69.54.
• Joel Gomez bettered the world men’s T13 1500 record with a 3:48.14 to win at the USATF Championships.

Now in its 25th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week when there are high-level competitions and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week. 

2026 Winners: January 15, Jonathan Simms; January 22, Michelle Rohl; January 29, Josh Hoey; February 5, Roisin Willis; February 12, Jordan Geist; February 19, Cole Hocker; February 26, Cynthia McNamee; March 5, Chase Jackson; March 12, Lauren Harris; March 19, Garrett Kaalund; March 26, Cooper Lutkenhaus; April 2, Rudy Winkler; April 9, Max Thomas; April 16, Sam Mattis; April 23, Tahmar Upshaw; April 30, Kaitlin Bounds; May 7, Karissa Schweizer; May 14, Anna Cockrell; May 21, Tatyana McFadden; May 28, Masai Russell; June 4, Joe Kovacs; June 11, Gabby Thomas; June 25, Tate Taylor; July 1, Jamal Britt; July 8, Nikki Hiltz; July 15, Jamal Britt; July 22, Cierra Jackson; July 29, Noah Lyles.

We welcome your nominations!

To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about their performance to communications@usatf.org.

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