The dream of every track and field athlete is to become a world champion, and this September, that dream will come down to one brutal moment: the World Championships. But before the lights, medals, and global glory, there’s one test every American sprinter must survive: the U.S. Trials. And right now, there’s one name on everyone’s lips. A rising 20-year-old star who recently stunned fans by clocking a 9.75 seconds in the 100 meters. Despite this outstanding time being world-leading, it wasn’t counted. So, what exactly happened? Here’s the full story.

This 20-year-old redshirt sophomore, Jordan Anthony, at the University of Arkansas ran that 9.75 seconds during the NCAA West First Round in College Station, Texas, the West regional for the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship on May 31st. He ran in the first heat of what is technically the NCAA quarterfinal and crushed his nearest competition by 0.16 seconds. The catch?

The wind speed during his run was +2.1 meters per second, just a hair above the legal limit of +2.0 m/s for record purposes. Because of that, his time can’t officially be recognized as a record or qualifying mark. But had the wind been just 0.1 m/s less, his 9.75 would have placed him as the 6th-fastest man in human history. Still, under any wind conditions, he is now the 11th person to run 9.75 or faster in the 100 meters.

Why does this wind rule matter so much? Track and field caps legal wind assistance at +2.0 m/s to keep competition fair and ensure times are comparable across different conditions. Any time run with wind above that is considered “wind-aided” and isn’t eligible for official records. This rule exists to prevent unfair advantages, but it has sparked debate this time around.

Many fans and analysts believe his raw talent and near-record speed should earn him a spot on the national team regardless of the wind, while others insist that rules are rules and fairness must come first. Now, with the World Championships trials approaching, the big question remains: can this young sprinter overcome the setback of a wind-aided run and secure his place on the global stage that is the World Championships? The track and field community is watching closely, and for now, they are split.

Track and field fans debate Jordan Anthony’s fight for a spot on Team USA

When a Reddit thread went viral about whether Jordan Anthony can make the team for the World Championships at the US Trials, fans had opinions. Plenty of them. One track and field user commented: “Probably depends a lot on if he’s one of those who have one (1) of these types of seasons and then disappear from the face of the earth or not. He COULD. Or he could do f***all. We don’t know, especially given US trials are years away.”

Another fan was far more radical as he mentions, “He’s MUCH faster than anyone in the world at the moment. Running through the line would have netted him around a 9.73, which with zero wind is 9.83. And the scary thing is, he will still improve, as he’s shown at the NCAA indoors. If he stays healthy, I see him running around 9.85 consistently with the potential for wind-legal 9.7’s.” But not everyone was sold.

One commenter simply mentioned, “The NCAA schedule is pretty long, so they tend to peak about this time. So I would doubt it.” Doubt it or not, Jordan Anthony has receipts, and they stretch back to high school. He broke Mississippi state records in both the 100m (10.14s, No. 7 all-time in U.S. prep history) and the 200m (20.35s, No. 14 all-time). He then claimed the USATF U-20 national 200m title in 20.34s and clocked a blistering 20.64s indoors at Nike Nationals, the third-fastest ever by a U.S. high schooler.

In college, he started at Kentucky, where he set freshman records in both the 60m (6.57s) and 100m (10.16s) before transferring to Arkansas. There, he’s only leveled up, breaking the school indoor 60m record with a 6.47s and dropping a jaw-dropping 19.93s in the 200m at the 2025 SEC Outdoor Championships, also running a 9.95 in the 100m that same weekend. Yes, he’s now the SEC champion in both sprints.

And while track and field is his main stage, Jordan Anthony isn’t just a one-sport wonder. He suited up as a wide receiver for the University of Kentucky football team in 2022 and now continues to play the same role at Arkansas. Even if his football stats aren’t lighting up the board yet, his speed alone makes him a dangerous weapon on the field.

One more track and field fan chimed in, “You have to assume Noah will make it. And Kenny is looking great this season. Coleman has been ehh. So maybe! I would love to see it.” Another added, “Pretty difficult to have sprinters on an NCAA schedule perform well over a month after his expected peak (NCAA champs). US Trials finals are filled with vets who have timed builds for US Trials. On the other hand, 9.75 in a +2.1 is pretty incredible.”

So yeah, there’s excitement, but also some hesitation, especially when it comes to young stars like Jordan Anthony. Let’s not forget: the guy had a fractured hip back in high school football, missing half the season when his growth plate broke. On top of that, balancing football and track? That’s no small task. With veterans peaking just in time, it’s hard to say where he’ll land right now.

Speaking of vets, Christian Coleman is trying to make his way back into the spotlight. He kicked off 2025 strong, winning the 60m indoor world title in Glasgow with a world-leading 6.41. But outdoors? It’s been rocky. A fourth-place finish in Philly with a 10.12 shows there’s still work to be done. Coleman recently switched things up, joining coach Dennis Mitchell to get back in rhythm. He’s got the talent, no doubt, but in a field this deep, every fraction of a second matters.

But what about Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek? Well, Noah’s not just the Olympic champ; he’s out here running a 400m PB of 45.87 and tightening up his starts so he can go for triple gold: 100m, 200m, and 4x100m at Worlds. And, Kenny? He’s been lights-out this season, dropping a 9.86 in the 100m and a 19.95 in the 200m. So, while it’s fun to root for a breakout story, let’s be real: breaking into this top tier right now? It’s a mountain. But hey, anything can happen in the track and field trials.