Mt. SAC to Host USATF Golden Games
Event draws top international fields and will be broadcast live nationally on NBC this Sunday from the new Hilmer Lodge Stadium
WALNUT, Calif. – Mt. SAC will take center stage when it hosts the 2021 USATF Golden Games & Distance Open at Mt. SAC presented by Xfinity. The event will be broadcast live nationally on NBC, this Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9th, from 1:30pm to 3:00pm (PT). This elite competition will be held in Hilmer Lodge Stadium, the college’s new state-of-the-art facility. The Golden Games, one of only two gold level competitions in the United States, is part of the 2021 USATF Grand Prix Series and for the next three years, will also be a part of the Elite Division of the Mt. SAC Relays.
This year’s event will feature many of the world’s best track & field athletes on their road to the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games.
Due to the continuing COVID-19 situation, strict guidelines will be in place including screening, testing, masks and social distancing. Unfortunately, the event will also be closed to on-site spectators.
“This is an incredible opportunity to showcase our college and this incredible stadium to the world,” replied Mt. SAC Athletic Special Events Director, Doug Todd. “I want to thank USA Track & Field and everyone at Mt. SAC, administration & staff, for their incredible support and hard work that made this event possible. During these difficult times, this event gives elite athletes a desperately needed opportunity to compete at a world class facility in order to qualify and prepare for this summer’s Tokyo Olympics.”
Included in the incredible fields are former Mountie sprinters Kyrie King (100m) and Cravon Gillespie (100m). King and Gillespie, both attended the University of Oregon after Mt. SAC. Both have also run under 10 seconds in the 100 meters, making them strong contenders for a spot on the 2021 U.S. Olympic team. Former Mountie triple jumper Anthony Applequist will also compete after bursting onto the world scene with a jump of 53’08”1/2 (16.37m), 10 days ago, in Chula Vista, CA.
One competitor attracting a lot of media attention is Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf who is scheduled to run the men’s 100 meters. The gridiron Pro Bowl speedster hasn’t competed in track & field since high school, but will test his speed on Sunday against the fastest men in the country.
WOMEN to watch:
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- Tianna Bartoletta-USA (100m), 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist
- Veronica Campbell-Brown-JAM (100m), 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist, 3-time World Champion
- Kori Carter-USA (400m Hurdles), 2017 World Champion, Claremont High School graduate
- Allyson Felix-USA (200m), most decorated female Olympic track athlete: 9 medals (6 gold, 3 silver)
- Kendra Harrison-USA (100m Hurdles), WR holder (12.20), #2 World Mark in 2021 at 12.48
- Shaunae Miller-Ubo-BAH (200m), 2020 & 2021 World Leader at 21.98 / 22.03
- Laura Muir-GBR (800m), 2016 & 2018 Diamond League 1500m Grand Prix champion
- Katie Nageotte-USA (Pole Vault), 2020 World Leader at 16’01”
- Elinor Purrier-USA (1500m), U.S. indoor Mile and 2 Mile record holder
- Sha’carri Richardson-USA (100m), 2021 World Leader at 10.72
- Katerina Stefanidi-GRE (Pole Vault), 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist
- Gianna Woodruff-PAN (400m Hurdles), 2021 World Leader at 55.02
MEN to watch:
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- Rai Benjamin-USA (400m Hurdles), 2019 World Championship runner-up with a best time of 47.66
- Chris Bernard-USA (Triple Jump), 2021 World Leader at 56’03”
- Will Claye-USA (Triple Jump), 2019 World Leader at 59’06”
- Alison Dos Santos-BRA (400m Hurdles), 2021 World Leader at 48.15
- KC Lightfoot-USA (Pole Vault), 19’08″1/4 in 2021, NCAA indoor record, and NCAA indoor champion
- Matt Ludwig-USA (Pole Vault), #3T World Ranking in 2020 at 19’04”1/2
- Noah Lyles-USA (200m), 2019 200m World Champion, 2020 World Leader at 19.76 seconds
- Clayton Murphy-USA (800m), 2016 Rio Olympics 800m bronze medalist
- Michael Norman-USA (400m), #4 All-Time 400m runner (43.45), 2020 100m World Leader in 9.86
- Justin Robinson-USA (400m), 2020 World Leader 400m at 44.91
- Jacob Wooten-USA (Pole Vault), #3T World Ranking in 2020 at 19’04”1/2
2021 USATF Golden Games at Mt. SAC presented by Xfinity