ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – After a record-breaking opening day performance from Anna Hall, Day 2 of the USATF Indoor Championships 2023 will feature the heats of the men’s 60 meters, with Noah Lyles entering as the overwhelming favorite to win the title.
Sad to see Christian Coleman and Trayvon Bromell scratched
Fans were hoping to see a blockbuster showdown between three of USA’s best-ever in the event, as Lyles were set to face-off with Christian Coleman and Trayvon Bromell. Read more: When is the 2023 USATF Indoor Championships? How to watch and full schedule
However, Coleman and Bromell, who are the top 60m runners in the world this year with times of 6.47 seconds and 6.42 seconds, respectively, both scratched from the event, leaving Lyles now as the man to beat.
Lyles, a two-time reigning world 200m champion, has lowered his personal best in the 60m to 6.51 seconds this season, achieved when winning the New Balance GP 2023 title at Boston. He will be seeking his first national indoor title since 2017 when he won the 300m.
In Heat 1, Lyles will take on Kendal Williams, who has clocked 6.59 this season and is expected to be his main challenge. The other athletes in this heat are Mason Phillips, Gavin Colley, Jaylan Mitchell, Dominic Artis, Sam Blaskowski.
Meanwhile, in Heat 2, Coby Hilton, who clocked a time of 6.51 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, last month, will start as the favorite to advance on top but expect this heat to be tight. Cravon Gillespie will also start as a contender, while the others starting here are Kirk Wilson Jr., Isaiah Trousil, Deondre Spruill, and Dimeji Adekanbi.
READ MORE: Anna Hall smashed American Pentathlon record with 5004 points
Finally, Heat 3 will feature JT Smith, who has clocked 6.56 this year, and Brandon Carnes, who set his PB of 6.53 at Albuquerque in 2020 and has clocked 6.54 this season. Both sprinters cannot be overlooked, as we all know what can happen in a 60m race if the favored athletes fail to bring their A-game.
The top 4 from each heat and the next 4 fastest will advance to the 2 semifinals. The top 3 from each semifinal and the next 2 fastest will move on to the final.
