Lyles and Knighton do not disappoint in battle over 200m

Noah Lyles (left) edges out Erriyon Knighton (right) to win the 2022 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships 200m title. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs

By Cassie Cole

Sprinting events have always been popular at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, and the men’s 200m final on Sunday did not disappoint.

Sprinting phenom Noah Lyles finished first in the event with a time of 19.67, but it wasn’t without a fight. Lyles and Erriyon Knighton finished first in their respective heats for both the preliminary and semifinal rounds, setting them up as the top competitors for the national title in Sunday’s final. Although Knighton had the lead from the gun, Lyles passed him in the final 30 meters. Knighton finished second in 19.69 seconds.

“It’s just about keeping my composure, being powerful, being assertive when I make every step and just reeling in Erriyon just one step at a time,” said Lyles.

Lyle’s national title was news enough for the track and field community, but it was a quick gesture he made as he crossed the finish line that caught people’s attention. Knowing that he had taken the lead, Lyles pointed in the direction of Knighton as the two crossed the line. Viewers interpreted the gesture as a taunt to Knighton, who is often compared to Usain Bolt as the next big sprinting star. After the race, Lyles confirmed that the point was not meant for Knighton.

“That was a message to everybody who keeps doubting me,” said Lyles. Lyles is the 2019 world champion in the 200m as well as the 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, but he hasn’t run as many 200m races as usual this year.

“Erriyon is an incredible talent and he has proven that. But that doesn’t mean that I’m going to lay down and die,” Lyles wrote on Twitter.

Lyles’ come from behind win came as a surprise to many viewers due to his slow start. He hung around seventh place for the first 80 meters before beginning to pass the other competitors in the field.

“I’ve been running from behind in a lot of races and it’s nothing to be afraid of,” said Lyles. “When I reach that top speed, I’m gonna keep it for the longest too.”

Lyles himself was a bit surprised by how well he ran today, explaining that his breathing was “a little heavier than [he] thought it was gonna be” when warming up Sunday morning. He chose to take his time and take his warmup slowly, which paid off—he felt so good after the semifinal round that he didn’t even feel like he had just raced.

Lyles didn’t have to run on Sunday, either. As the defending world champion in the event, Lyles has a bye that allows him entry into the world championships even if he doesn’t place in the U.S. finals. After a season of fewer 200m races than usual, however, Lyles wanted the experience.

“I didn’t have to run today but I did,” he said.

Lyles will represent Team USA at the World Athletics Champions in three weeks. He’ll be joined by Knighton and third place-finisher Fred Kerley, who won the national title in the 100m dash on Friday.

The world championships will be held at Hayward Field, the first time ever on U.S. soil, and Lyles is excited for a competition where the crowd knows his name.

“It’s nice to have some Hayward magic,” he said. 

“Walking out into a stadium where nobody really knows how to even pronounce your name completely correctly, it gets to you sometimes,” said Lyles, who has competed in meets around the world but never at U.S. meets as large as Worlds. He’s also looking forward to the energy that comes with a home crowd, discussing his anticipation for “that big clap” that is often reserved for the favorite athletes.

As Lyles prepares for the World Championships next month, he already has big hopes for himself and Knighton.

“I know he’s gonna come to Worlds and he’s gonna bring it,” said Lyles, explaining that Sunday’s race likely gave Knighton the feeling of having a target on his back. “I expect him to PR and I expect myself to PR at Worlds.”