By Tristen Shaw for University of Oregon SOJC Track Bureau
Fred Kerley, America’s national champion and Olympic silver medalist in the 100 meters, is confident that his training and confidence will lead him to success at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in Eugene.
Kerley is beginning to cement himself among the top sprinters in the U.S. and the world. At the U.S. nationals in June, he ran a world-leading time of 9.76 seconds in the semifinal of the 100. He carried that momentum in the final to the success of winning the U.S. title at 9.77 seconds. Kerley seems to be in peak condition heading into his third World Championships.
“I’m grateful to be in the position to be one of the favorites to get it done on home soil,” Kerley said. “My coach and I have been putting the work in to be successful.”
Kerley is the only male athlete to win Diamond League races at 100, 200 and 400 meters, putting the the world on notice of a budding superstar. And for the United States, Kerley could become one of the faces of American sprinting for the new generation of track athletes and fans.
“I feel like everybody in track and field wants to be a figurehead,” Kerley said. “But it’s about getting the job done and continuing to push the ceiling higher to be successful in this sport.”
Just last year, Kerley was in a similar position heading into Tokyo. He was among the few names mentioned as the likely champion of track and field’s most glamorous event, the men’s 100.
Even with a second-place finish to surprise gold medalist Marcell Jacobs of Italy, Kerley is confident he can track down the Italian battling through a lower-body injury. Jacobs pulled out of the last Diamond League event before the World Championships due to discomfort in his glute.
His coach reassured the media, saying everything was under control.
But Kerley is ready.
“He won on that day but I’m ready to go this weekend,” Kerley said. “I don’t run to be in second place.”
