First-time champions Sha’Carri Richardson and Crayvont Charleston put on a show in the 100 meters
Crayvont Charleston, Christian Coleman, and Noah Lyles finish in the top three spots, respectively, at the 2023 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field on Friday night. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs
By Israel La Rue
Twice on Friday night, Hayward Field’s lights shut off, then flickered around the stadium as a cloud of smoke appeared next to the blocks for the 100 meters, with sprinters emerging out of the smoke. After each finalist was introduced, the crowd roared.
Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles are two of the biggest personalities in the sport, and they showed that during those introductions.
Richardson, who was wearing a bright orange wig and a pink headband, threw the wig behind her as the camera zoomed in, revealing her braids. Fans erupted, and even a few murmured that they wished they were closer to the blocks so they could take the wig.
Lyles did his signature spirit bomb celebration, which comes from the anime Dragon Ball Z and a move from the main character, Goku. “Spirit bomb before every finals,” Lyles said.
Richardson lived up to the hype, winning her first national title Friday night at the 2023 Toyota USATF Outdoor National Championships with a time of 10.82 in the 100-meter final, making her first national team as well.
Lyles, the reigning 200-meter world champion, also made the U.S. team by finishing third in despite barely training in the past two weeks because of a bout of COVID-19. The upset men’s 100-meter winner was Crayvont Charleston, who like Richardson won his first national title and made his first U.S. national team. Charleston ran 9.95, just .01 ahead of Christian Coleman, the 2019 world champion.
All will represent the United States at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August.
Sha’Carri Richardson, Brittany Brown, and Tamari Davis finish in the top three spots, respectively, at the 2023 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field on Friday night. Photo by Howard Lao
The women’s 100-meter final started first, with Richardson the favorite after running a personal best of 10.71 in the prelims on Thursday and 10.75 earlier Friday in the semifinals. Former Florida Gator Tamari Davis got off to a great start, but Richardson’s top-end speed eclipsed Davis with 30 meters left as she sprinted to victory. Brittany Brown finished second in a personal best 10.90, and Davis finished third in 10.99
As Richardson crossed the finish line, she grabbed the ribbon and threw it on the track. She could’ve done the 200 with the extra 100 meters she ran as she celebrated her victory.
She stared down the fans as she walked along the track and even signed autographs before stopping at section 121 and walking up the stands to hug her family as they congratulated her. Richardson did not speak with the news media after the race.
Next up was the men’s race. As the women’s medalists stood in the infield, ready to be presented with their medals, “Big Bank” by YG featuring 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Nicki Minaj played as the male sprinters warmed up.
“Not my specific song I would’ve chosen, but I liked it,” Lyles said.
When asked what song he would’ve chosen he said, “Walk Em Down by Metro Boomin and 21 Savage.”
Coleman got off to a blazing start, while Lyles’ start could have been better.
“My coach said I exposed my chest a little early in the race,” Lyles said. “I could’ve stayed in my drive phase longer, and I think that’s what’s really the difference in these finals.”
Charleston and Lyles picked up speed at the same time, moving up on the field, but Charleston had just enough speed to catch Coleman.
Charleston, who is 25 years old and had never before made the final of an NCAA or USATF competition, said that he didn’t even know that he caught Lyles and Coleman to win.
“At first I thought I got fourth,” Charleston said. “I was like, ‘Dang I didn’t make it.’ I looked up and it said first. Hey, got the job done.”
Even though Lyles didn’t win the national title, his goal of doubling in the 100 and 200 at worlds is still alive. As the defending champion in the 200, he has a bye in that event.
“First thing you gotta do is make USAs,” Lyles said. “I’ve been watching every world championship, and I’m like, man, I can make it into that final, I can make it into that top three. All I gotta do is make it through USAs.”
During Wednesday’s press conference for the USATF Outdoor Championships, Lyles was asked about his goal of doubling.
“We haven’t had a doubler since Usain Bolt,” he said. “About time we had one. Why can’t it be me?”
Richardson is also attempting a double; she is also competing in the 200 this weekend.