TicketsCALI, Colombia – University of Cincinnati track and field's Steven McElroy is set to compete at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships Cali 22 starting Tuesday in Cali, Colombia.
UPDATE
In the semifinals, McElroy bettered his mark with a time of 45.67 seconds to finish second in heat three and secure automatic qualification for the men's 400-meter finals on Thursday. The finish was the third fastest of the field and his third fastest as a Bearcat. On Tuesday, the freshman recorded a time of 46.38 seconds in the preliminaries and clinched the top spot in his heat to advance.
"I have always dreamed about representing Team USA at this level," McElroy said. "It is surreal and such a blessing to have a chance to compete against the best in Colombia this week."
The World Athletics U20 Championships is a biennial international competition that provides the world an opportunity to see future stars of the sport emerge on a global stage. This year's event will host more than 1500 U20 athletes at the Pascual Guerrero Olympic Stadium from Monday through Saturday, Aug. 1-6.
McElroy will run in the 400-meter preliminaries on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at 11:25 a.m. ET. The first four finishers in each heat and next four fastest times not in their respective top four will compete in the semifinals on Wednesday at 8:25 p.m. ET. The top two finishers from each heat and next two time qualifiers will make up the field for Thursday's finals at 6:50 p.m. ET. Based on his finish in Eugene, McElroy will also take part in the first round of the men's 4x400-meter relay at 12:15 p.m. ET on Friday.
Live streaming will be available on the World Athletics YouTube and Facebook channels while select events will be aired on Peacock and CNBC.
The Pickerington, Ohio native clocked a meet-record time of 44.93 seconds at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships to advance to the World Athletics U20 Championships. The school record holder has progressed from 47.86 to 44.93 over the course of this season. As a freshman, McElroy claimed the 400-meter title at both the American Athletic Conference indoor and outdoor championships, while qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
"This past season has prepared me for what to takes to compete in these top meets," he added. "Once I arrived in Eugene for the second time for USATF U20 Outdoor Championships in July, I relied on the expertise of Coach Nadine Faustin-Parker and the experiences I had at the AAC Championships and NCAA Outdoor Championships to get acclimated and will do the same to be at my best next week."
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Track and Field/Cross Country, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. and follow @GoBearcatsTFXC on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
UPDATE
In the semifinals, McElroy bettered his mark with a time of 45.67 seconds to finish second in heat three and secure automatic qualification for the men's 400-meter finals on Thursday. The finish was the third fastest of the field and his third fastest as a Bearcat. On Tuesday, the freshman recorded a time of 46.38 seconds in the preliminaries and clinched the top spot in his heat to advance.
"I have always dreamed about representing Team USA at this level," McElroy said. "It is surreal and such a blessing to have a chance to compete against the best in Colombia this week."
The World Athletics U20 Championships is a biennial international competition that provides the world an opportunity to see future stars of the sport emerge on a global stage. This year's event will host more than 1500 U20 athletes at the Pascual Guerrero Olympic Stadium from Monday through Saturday, Aug. 1-6.
McElroy will run in the 400-meter preliminaries on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at 11:25 a.m. ET. The first four finishers in each heat and next four fastest times not in their respective top four will compete in the semifinals on Wednesday at 8:25 p.m. ET. The top two finishers from each heat and next two time qualifiers will make up the field for Thursday's finals at 6:50 p.m. ET. Based on his finish in Eugene, McElroy will also take part in the first round of the men's 4x400-meter relay at 12:15 p.m. ET on Friday.
Live streaming will be available on the World Athletics YouTube and Facebook channels while select events will be aired on Peacock and CNBC.
The Pickerington, Ohio native clocked a meet-record time of 44.93 seconds at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships to advance to the World Athletics U20 Championships. The school record holder has progressed from 47.86 to 44.93 over the course of this season. As a freshman, McElroy claimed the 400-meter title at both the American Athletic Conference indoor and outdoor championships, while qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
"This past season has prepared me for what to takes to compete in these top meets," he added. "Once I arrived in Eugene for the second time for USATF U20 Outdoor Championships in July, I relied on the expertise of Coach Nadine Faustin-Parker and the experiences I had at the AAC Championships and NCAA Outdoor Championships to get acclimated and will do the same to be at my best next week."
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Track and Field/Cross Country, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. and follow @GoBearcatsTFXC on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.