By Elias Esquivel, University of Oregon SOJC Track Bureau
Trey Cunningham had quite the summer.
At the NCAA Championships in June, Cunningham was in a league of his own. He won the men’s 110-meter hurdle title, clocking a personal best of 13.0 seconds, winning by .15 and finishing the season undefeated against collegians. The time still stands as the second-best time in the world this year, and it placed Cunningham among the 15 fastest Americans in history.
In July, the 23-year-old Cunningham made his first senior team, finishing second at the USATF Outdoor Championships in 13.08.
As a capper, Cunningham dominated his qualifying rounds at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 en route to winning the silver medal, missing out on gold by only .05 in a theatrical final, and finalizing a dream he’s had since his freshman year of college.
However, it wasn’t the only podium Cunningham stood tall on. Not even close. Cunningham reigned supreme in a separate avenue, and it provided one of his favorite memories during the championships.
“Winning in ping-pong,” said Cunningham. “No one’s beat me.”
Cunningham is the newest young blood in the United States’ illustrious history of hurdlers. He and his compatriots, Devon Allen and Grant Holloway, currently hold the three fastest times in the world so far. The three men are the foundation of what Cunningham calls hurdle mecca. A brotherhood has formed among the men that includes trash talk over Mario Kart and questions of who’s buying drinks at the end of the night.
They keep things light, but as soon as the blocks are down, it’s all business.
“We know what’s on the line,” said Cunningham. “You got to stay focused. You got to stay locked in… but after the fact, it’s all back to normal.”
Business isn’t something Cunningham has had to consider until recently. Cunningham said Allen has been a great resource as he’s transitioned from life as a Florida State student into the life of a professional athlete, offering him advice whenever he asks. The guidance extends to finances.
“So it’s all about the money. Life’s all about money, green stuff,” said Cunningham. “He said to just live like a college kid my first year and I’ll be fine.”
Cunningham’s journey to the world stage has all the makings of a feel-good story. He’s from a small town, Winfield, Alabama, that has a population just under 5,000. He’s overcome obstacles, from hamstring tears to a global pandemic derailing his season. It may seem unreal to many, except Cunningham.
“It’s my reality,” said Cunningham. “I’ve always envisioned myself here. I never knew on what timeline I was going to get here, but I’ve always seen myself here.”
It has been a year of fruition for Cunningham. Fruition, which Cunningham said was his word of the year at NCAAs, can be taken in a multitude of ways. To him, it includes taking what he’s worked for. He’s certainly done that this year and in the biggest way. However, even while winning a global medal, Cunningham had a revelation he won’t forget moving forward:
“I don’t have to be perfect to be one of the best in the world.”
