NEW YORK (23 July) — Qualifying heats were held in the 1500m for both men and women, and most of the podium favorites advanced to Saturday’s finals on day one at the 2026 USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Icahn Stadium here in New York on Thursday (23).
On the men’s side Vince Ciattei, who ran a 3:30.90 personal best in Rabat in May, won the third of three heats in 3:41.30, the fastest time of the day. Ciattei controlled the second half of the race from the front and was able to relax a bit before the finish.
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“Unique for me coming in as the #1 seed,” Ciattei told Race Results Weekly. He added: “I know I’m strong, I know I can run the pace I feel comfortable with and just, you know, not put myself in any trouble. I was confident I could do that today.”
Also advancing was former University of Virginia star Gary Martin who finished second in heat #2 behind Nathan Green. The two former collegiate rivals ran 3:42.91 and 3:42.94, respectively.
“It was a smooth race,” Martin told reporters. “Just got out, got out in good position. Stayed calm the first 800. Saw Nathan go around me with like 400 to go… went wide at 150, went to the arms, and got it done.”
Other athletes who advanced with title hopes were Luke Houser, Liam Murphy, and Joe Waskom. Sam Prakel, who just ran a personal best of 3:49.63 for the mile in London, faded in the homestretch of the first heat and finished fifth in 3:44.60. His time was not fast enough to advance.
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In women’s 1500m qualifying the four strongest contenders for the title –Addy Wiley, Emily Mackay, Heather MacLean and Nikki Hiltz– recorded the four fastest times: 4:04.17, 4:04.29, 4:04.51, and 4:04.54, respectively. Wiley won the first heat while Hiltz won the second.
“In rounds anything can happen,” said Wiley, who won a bronze medal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in the 800m in March. She continued: “I was ready for anything, but I was happy with a fast time. I feel like my fitness is the best it’s ever been.”
Hiltz, the defending champion, was particularly motivated to compete in New York.
“This is New York,” Hiltz told reporters. “This one feels new, and fresh, and different. I don’t really like phrasing as defending anything. It’s just a whole new chapter, whole new people to race. I’m just going to try to do my best on Saturday and hopefully that’s another national title.”
Perhaps the most inspiring performance was put in by Teagan Schein-Becker. The 26 year-old ran a strong closing lap of 61.7 seconds to finish second behind Hiltz. Her time of 4:04.91 was a personal best by nearly two seconds.
“That was awesome,” said Schein-Becker, who competed for Rider University during her NCAA career. “I feel like it went really smooth. I’m happy about that. Really happy. First final I’ve ever made for USA’s.”
PARKER STOKES LED STEEPLECHASE QUALIFYING
Parker Stokes ran 8:23.04 in the men’s 3000m steeplechase to lead 14 qualifiers to Saturday’s final. The 25-year-old ran behind Duncan Hamilton for most of the second of two heats and put in a strong final lap to get the win. Stokes runs for the Brooks Beasts Track Club and drew a lot of inspiration from teammate Josh Kerr’s mile world record last Saturday.
“It’s the most inspiring and motivating thing we’ve all witnessed in track,” said Stokes.
Kenneth Rooks, the Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist, finished 11th in his heat and did not advance to the final.
There was no preliminary steeplechase round for women; that event will be contested as a straight final on Saturday.
