Two of the best sprinters in the sport are set to be recognized for big honors after a successful 2023 season that included multiple gold medals.
It was recently announced by USATF that Noah Lyles was named the winner of the Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year, and Sha’Carri Richardson was named the winner of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Female Athlete of the Year.
Lyles dominated the track scene this season in an entertaining fashion. The talented 200m specialist dropped down into the men’s 100m and took home the World Championship in the event in Budapest. He also went on to win the men’s 200m at the World Championships and was a member of the 4x100m relay team that took home the gold medal. He was undefeated in the 200m this past season, with his fastest performance taking place at the London Diamond League meet, where he ran a world leading time of 19.47.
Richardson enjoyed great success on the track this year. She not only made her first World Championship team, but she took home the gold in the women’s 100m, while securing the bronze in the women’s 200m. She also was a member of the women’s 4x100m relay that took home the gold.
Lyles and Richardson will be among a handful of athletes honored for awards at the USATF Night of Champions that will take place in Orlando on Dec. 2.