International Spotlight Returns to Mt. SAC at USATF Golden Games
Exciting competition produces 15 Hilmer Lodge Stadium records and 4 world leading marks; event broadcast live on NBC to a national audience
WALNUT, Calif. – On Sunday, May 9, Hilmer Lodge Stadium, on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC), shined brightly on national television (NBC) as the host of the 2021 USATF Golden Games at Mt. SAC. The combination of the beautiful new stadium, favorable weather conditions, fast track surface and incredible field of athletes, added another significant chapter in the storied history of the stadium. The competition produced 15 stadium records, 4 world leading marks and numerous personal bests. Along with these incredible statistics, the USATF Golden Games at Mt. SAC also produced top 5 world marks (2021) in 20 of the 24 events contested.
Due to football superstar/wide receiver DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks entering the competition, the men’s 100 meters was one of the most anticipated events. Metcalf ran an impressive 10.37 seconds to finish 15th overall (two preliminary heats combined). In a bit of Mt. SAC irony, Metcalf’s preliminary heat was won by former Mountie Cravon Gillespie at 10.11 (CLICK HERE to see NBC race video and interview). Gillespie later ran 9.96 (w +1.9 m/s) in the final to take the win over an impressive field that included former Mountie teammate Kyrie King (10.04), who took 5th. King ran a legal 9.97 (w +1.9 m/s) a month earlier, earning the former Mounties the #5 and #6 positions on the 2021 men’s 100 meters world marks list.
Former Mounties Anthony Applequist and Jordin Andradre also competed in the elite competition. Applequist took 7th in the men’s triple jump with a mark of 53’05” (16.28, w 0.7 m/s) and Andrade took 9th in the men’s 400 hurdles with a seasons best time of 51.17. Former Mountie and current Women’s Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach Giovanni Lanaro was on hand to help direct the competition and also witness his stadium record finally eclipsed, after 14 years, by 3-time NCAA D1 Champion Chris Nilsen (USA). Nilsen jumped 19’04″1/2 to claim the stadium record from the 2-time Mexican Olympian and record holder.
Allyson Felix, the most decorated female track & field Olympian (six gold, three silver medals), nearly celebrated Mother’s Day with another Mt. SAC win in the women’s 200 meters. Felix whose career at Mt. SAC has spanned over 20 years, took second with a time of 22.26. Felix’s first Mt. SAC win came in 2002, running for L.A. Baptist, in the high school girls 200 meters. Her latest win at Mt. SAC, 19 years later, came in the Inspiration Games 150 meters, held in July of 2020.
In its history, Hilmer Lodge Stadium has hosted many of the greatest track & field athletes. The USATF Golden Games at Mt. SAC added to the stadium’s legacy with many incredible performances including 15 stadium records. Below is a list of the stadium records broken during this competition and the names of the historic former record holders they replaced, nearly all of which are Olympians (click list to enlarge).
To view the video highlights from the NBC broadcast, by World Athletics, click HERE.
USATF summary release of events HERE.
Complete USATF Golden Games & Distance Open RESULTS