These are Deji Ogeyingbo’s high moments from the 2025 USATF Indoor Champs, held at Ocean Breeze Athletics Advanced on February 22-23, 2025. Deji was additionally accountable for many tweets on our social media round important occasions. Deji is finding out for his masters at Georgia State.
US Indoor Championships: A Weekend of Triumphs and Comebacks in Staten Island
This previous weekend, the US Indoor Championships on the Ocean Breeze Athletic Advanced in Staten Island delivered standout performances that captivated observe and subject followers. The occasion featured exceptional performances, thrilling upsets, and some long-awaited comebacks.
Right here’s a breakdown of the important thing highlights from the boys’s and ladies’s occasions on the championships.
Males’s 60m: Ronnie Baker’s Comeback Victory
Ronnie Baker returned to the highest within the males’s 60 meters, successful his first nationwide title since 2017. The 2018 World Indoor bronze medalist had not too long ago struggled with accidents and inconsistency, however he regarded like his outdated self on the day. He powered via the ultimate in 6.52, securing the win and reminding everybody why he was as soon as the third-fastest man over 60m.
Staten Island, New York, United States, photograph by Kevin R. Morris
This victory was about extra than simply the time; it was about his perseverance. After years of setbacks, Baker lastly created a race reflecting his expertise. With the outside season forward, his efficiency suggests he might be an element within the 100m once more. His confidence is again, and if he stays wholesome, he might be a reputation to observe because the Olympic yr unfolds.
Males’s 400m: Chris Bailey Stays in Management
Chris Bailey bolstered his standing as among the best 400m runners within the nation, successful in 45.21. The Olympic 4×400 gold medalist got here from behind, shifting from third to first within the remaining stretch to assert the nationwide title. His margin of victory of 0.39 seconds over Jacory Patterson confirmed his dominance.
Staten Island, New York, United States, photograph by Kevin R. Morris
Bailey’s race technique was easy: keep affected person, then strike. He let others set the early tempo, then surged within the closing meters. His means to execute beneath strain makes him a harmful competitor. Elija Godwin completed third in 46.09, rounding out a robust podium. Bailey’s composure and ending pace make him a robust contender for the upcoming outside season. With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, his means to deal with high-stakes races might make him a key participant for Group USA this summer time.
Males’s 800m: Josh Hoey Breaks One other Report
Josh Hoey continues to rewrite the file books. He lowered his personal American indoor 800m file, successful in 1:43.24. The 25-year-old has been on fireplace this season, and this race was no completely different. He took management early, passing 400m in 50.36, and by no means regarded again. His remaining 150m was decisive, pulling away from Brandon Miller, who set a private better of 1:44.26 for second place.
Staten Island, New York, United States, photograph by Kevin R. Morris
Hoey’s breakthrough is among the greatest tales in American middle-distance operating. His aggressive racing fashion and skill to shut robust have made him practically untouchable indoors. If he can carry this way into the outside season, he might be a severe risk on the worldwide stage. With the Olympic Trials approaching, Hoey has positioned himself as the person to beat within the 800m.
Males’s 3,000m: Hobbs Kessler Seizes the Second
Hobbs Kessler took cost of the boys’s 3,000m remaining and by no means let go. The 21-year-old managed the race from the entrance, ending in 7:38.00. After a difficult 2024 season, Kessler got here into this championship with one thing to show. He ran confidently and steadily earlier than closing with a 53.75-second remaining 400m.
Dylan Jacobs made a late push however couldn’t reel Kessler in (7:38.00 to 7:38.02). The win confirmed Kessler’s development as a racer, however he didn’t panic, caught to his plan, and delivered when it mattered. His final lap, together with a 26.26-second remaining 200m, was a transparent signal that he has the ending pace to compete with the very best. This victory might be the spark Kessler wants heading into the outside season, the place he’ll face stiffer competitors. His efficiency suggests he’s prepared for the following step in his profession.
(Editor’s observe: Kessler received the 1,500m the following evening, in 3:38.82, with Sam Prakel at 3:39.14).
Ladies’s Shot Put: Chase Jackson’s Continued Dominance
Chase Jackson proved as soon as once more why she’s the very best shot putter within the nation. She received her third straight indoor nationwide title with a throw of 19.65m, outclassing the sphere. Her sequence was spectacular, with 4 throws over 19 meters. Jackson has been in high type all season, having set the American indoor file at 20.24m earlier this month.
Maggie Ewen completed second with a throw of 18.86m, whereas Jessica Ramsey positioned third with a private better of 18.51m. Jackson’s consistency units her aside. She’s not simply successful; she’s throwing at an elite degree each time she enters the ring. With the outside season arising, she stays the favourite within the shotput. If she continues on this trajectory, a serious worldwide title might be in her future.
Ladies’s Pole Vault: Katie Moon Delivers Once more
Katie Moon confirmed why she’s among the best vaulters on this planet, successful her third straight indoor nationwide title. She cleared 4.80m on her first try, placing her accountable for the competitors. Gabriela Leon and Emily Grove cleared 4.65m (15-3), however neither might problem Moon on the high.
Staten Island, New York, United States, photograph by Kevin R. Morris
Moon took three makes an attempt at 4.90m however couldn’t fairly clear the bar. Nonetheless, her efficiency confirmed she’s in nice form heading into the outside season. She’s been remarkably constant, and her means to carry out beneath strain makes her a high contender. Moon has her sights set on even larger heights this yr. If she continues to refine her approach, she might be in line for one more important medal in 2025.
Ladies’s 60m Hurdles: Masai Russell Makes a Assertion
Masai Russell closed out the weekend with one of the crucial spectacular performances of the meet. She surged late within the girls’s 60m hurdles remaining, successful in a world-leading 7.74. That point moved her to equal sixth on the all-time U.S. performer listing, confirming her place among the many occasion’s elite.
Staten Island, New York, United States, photograph by Kevin R. Morris
Russell needed to combat for this one. Grace Stark set a season-best of seven.75 within the heats and ran 7.76 within the remaining, ending simply behind her. Christina Clemons took bronze in 7.81, which can also be a season-best. However Russell’s end was too robust. She stayed composed over the previous few hurdles, pulling away for the win. This efficiency cements her as a high contender heading into the outside season. She might be in for a particular yr if she retains this momentum.
