Dreams, fame, setbacks, pressure—Quincy Wilson’s living all of it at 17 and somehow still running like he’s got nothing to lose. Whether he wins or not, this young talent shows up with the same fire every time. And at the 129th annual Penn Relays in 2025? Oh, he didn’t just show up—he showed out. The Bullis School star anchored the boys’ 4x400m Championship of America like his life depended on it. The crowd was on its feet; the baton hit his hand in fourth place… and Quincy hit the gas. No panic. No hesitation. Just raw speed and purpose. He tore through that lap in 43.99 seconds—the fastest split ever at the Penn Relays, beating his record from last year. But, here’s the twist:

Wilson’s team didn’t win. Kingston College (JAM) edged them out for the title with a 3:05.93 finish, as opposed to the second-placed Bullis’ 3:06.31—breaking a 40-year-old U.S. high school national record since 1985. Think about that—not even born when the old record was set, Quincy helped bury it. But even the highest of moments have an unprecedented low, which was evident from what unfolded immediately after the race was over. Something that has also been described by an American legend as “ridiculous”!!!

Picture this: A dazed, confused, and flat-out exhausted Wilson returning to his camp after finishing what was a heart-pumping 400-metre lap. But instead of being offered a bottle of water, or even a shoulder to hold on to, the 17-year-old is being swarmed by hordes of fans, which also include some race officials. One young woman even leaned in for a selfie while Quincy stood there with his nose flared, and struggling to catch his breath. The youngster lightly pushed her aside as if to affirm his boundaries, when one man sporting an ID card, immediately pulled him aside for another selfie. And all he wanted in that moment? A minute to breathe, which sprinting legend Justin Gaitlin didn’t forget to acknowledge…

Appearing on the April 30 episode of the ‘Ready Set Go’ podcast, Rodney first recalled with a chuckle, “I liked when he was walking—he was so tired, like completely gassed… But people were still trying to take pictures with him…Like you have…people just walk up and stand in front of him like, ‘Yeah, I got him’.” [acting out like a person taking a selfie within an outstretched hand] Immediately then, Gatlin jumped in to add his take to the matter, saying, “I found that to be so ridiculous,” before adding:

“I’m thinking, ‘Okay, now one of the officials is going to come over and move everybody out of the way.’ But the official took a selfie with Quincy! I’m like, ‘Bro, what’s going on here?’” It wasn’t just a race—it was a frenzy. And Quincy? He was caught in the middle of it, still trying to come down from the high of what he just pulled off.

But here’s what really sets Quincy Wilson apart. As Gatlin brought up a quote from Aaron “Spider”: “What Quincy brings to the table isn’t just about being the fastest. He’s bringing a certain type of aura to our sport especially for his generation…It’s very LeBron-esque. People are gravitating toward him, win or lose, because they see something special in him.” He’s got the speed, sure—but it’s the aura that’s starting to feel legendary.

Whether he’s setting records or simply walking off the track, all eyes are on him. And ready or not, Quincy’s carrying the spotlight like he was built for it. Wilson may not have walked away with gold this time, but what did he win?

Respect. And judging by how Justin Gatlin lit up over his post-race interview, that might just be the biggest W of all.

Justin Gatlin stands by Quincy Wilson amidst criticism

In the same episode of Ready Set Go, Justin Gatlin couldn’t help but spotlight Quincy Wilson’s mindset—something he’s praised time and again. “Did you hear Quincy’s interview after the race?” Gatlin asked, “They were like, Are you having fun? And he looked at them like, Are you serious? I’m having a great time. I’m loving what I’m doing. This is amazing.” And keep in mind—this was after a loss.

That’s the thing about Quincy. He’s not just chasing wins—he’s loving the ride, soaking in every step of what track and field is throwing at him. But what really hit home? Gatlin shared how Quincy talked about his teammates—some of them new to this level of pressure. “He told me, ‘Look, I’ve been in high-pressure situations. Take that pressure off yourself and put that pressure on me. I’m built for this, and I want to show you how to be built for this, too.”

Who says that at 17? That’s not just talent—that’s leadership. And make no mistake—time and again, Justin has praised him for it. Back in March, Quincy Wilson was on fire at the New Balance Nationals Indoors, securing his third consecutive 400m title. But while he’s busy shattering records and racking up wins, there’s been some chatter about his running form—specifically, that low, outward arm swing that some critics claim might hold him back in the long run.

Well, it turns out Justin Gatlin wasn’t buying it. Gatlin appeared on Ready Set Go to fight against discriminatory statements directed at him. According to Gatlin, the obsession concerning perfect physical arrangement in athletics remains exaggerated, since efficiency matters above all else. “Efficiency looks different for everyone. It depends on your body structure and what works best for you.”

According to Gatlin, during this podcast appearance, he acknowledged Michael Johnson, who received similar criticism in the past because of his running posture but became a world record holder in both 200m and 400m events. The principle that Gatlin stands by is that Quincy Wilson should focus on running his races.

Watching Quincy succeed in tough events has taught him that real success emerges from these challenging moments. With proper execution of his strategy and successful split hits, Gatlin believes this athlete will become even better with time.  That’s the long game, and with Gatlin in his corner, Quincy Wilson’s future in track and field is looking brighter by the day.