By Elias Esquivel for the University of Oregon SOJC Track Bureau
Fred Kerley crossed the line of the men’s 100-meter final at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 on Saturday night unsure of the result.
His eyes were locked on the big screen, awaiting his fate.
He wasn’t alone — Marvin Bracy-Williams and Travyon Bromell, his U.S. teammates, stood by waiting as well.
After a few seconds, the results flashed on the screen. The Hayward Field crowd unleashed a thunderous roar. Kerley opened his arms to the heavens, receiving his gold medal and quickly beginning his victory lap. Bracy-Williams tackled Bromell to the ground in joy, friskily throwing down a barrage of punches. Chants of U-S-A erupted through the stands.
They had done it. The three men, in the first ever World Athletics Championships held in the United States, swept the event. Kerley won gold in 9.86 seconds, followed by Bracy-Williams in 9.88 and Bromell. Bracy-Williams edged Bromell by two thousandths of a second for silver.
“We said we was gonna do it and we did,” said Kerley. “USA, baby.”
Half of the field were Americans, with reigning world champion Christian Coleman finishing sixth.
Through the first 35 meters, Bracy-Williams led the field. Bromell then took the lead for five meters, until Coleman, who had the fastest reaction time, moved into the lead around 45 meters in. It wasn’t until 60 meters in that Kerley made a move — at this point he was in fifth, and Bracy-Williams had retaken the lead.
Over the next 20 meters Kerley worked his way closer to the lead. Kerley’s closing speed was too fast for Bracy-Williams to handle, as he passed him in the final five meters.
It was a remarkable finish for the three men, a finish that seemed unimaginable three years ago. In 2019, Kerley was still running the 400, Bromell was dealing with an achilles injury and Bracy-Williams was still trying to make it in professional football.
It’s been an especially long journey for Bracy-Williams and Bromell. The two began training together in 2020 after suffering multiple injuries, including two achilles surgeries for Bromell. Bromell said he’s not sure most people understand what the pair have gone through together.
“We worked hard to get back to this position,” said Bromell. “The man been through everything. I’ve been through everything, and I feel we earned that respect from what we did tonight.”
Part of that everything for Bromell was a disappointing finish in Tokyo last year. He said he wasn’t mentally ready then, but that being around Kerley and Bracy-Williams helped him reach his “championship mentality.” Kerley and Bracy-Williams display a poise Bromell praises, and he’s learned a lot from the two.
Kerley may not have dealt with injuries or career changes, but that doesn’t mean his road to gold was easy. Kerley, his siblings and some of his cousins were adopted in his youth by his Aunt Virginia. There were 13 of them in total, and he credits his aunt’s sacrifice for his accomplishments.
“I think about her every day because if it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be talking to y’all
right now,” said Kerley. “I’m thankful to her for putting me in a position to win in life.”
