INDIANAPOLIS — Running the second-fastest men's 1,500m ever by an American, Yared Nuguse (Boulder, Colorado/USATF Colorado) earned recognition as the 23rd USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2023, his second such award of the year. Competing at the Oslo Diamond League meet in Norway, Nuguse covered the final 400m in 55.4 and the final 100m in 13.6 to finish third at 3:29.02, chopping four seconds off his previous personal best. His time trails only Bernard Lagat's American record of 3:27.40 on the all-time U.S. performer list. Earlier this year, Nuguse set American indoor records in the 1,500m (3:33.22) and mile (3:47.38) in winning the Millrose Games. His time from Oslo moved him to No. 17 on the all-time world outdoor performer list. Other top performances from last week:
Roberta Groner bettered the American women's 45-49 record in the road 10K with a 33:41 in New York City. Groner, who was the highest-placing U.S. finisher in the marathon at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, took more than a minute off the ratified record.
Mia Brahe-Pedersen of Lake Oswego High School (Oregon) won the 100m and 200m at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene in 11.11 and 22.43. Her 200m time moved her to No. 5 on the all-time U.S. U20 performer list.
Erriyon Knighton won the men's 200m at the Oslo Diamond League meet in 19.77, breaking Usain Bolt's meet record.
Cory McGee moved to No. 4 on the all-time U.S. women's mile performer list with her 4:18.11 runner-up finish at Oslo.
Simeon Birnbaum of Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota, won the two miles at the Brooks PR meet in 8:34.10 on Wednesday and then ran 3:37.93 for 1,500m at the Nike Outdoor Nationals on Friday to move to No. 5 on the all-time U.S. U20 performer list. He capped off his week with a 4:02.22 win in the mile on Sunday. His two-mile time was the second-fastest ever run by a U.S. high schooler.
Now in its 22nd year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week when there are high-level competitions and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week. 2023 Winners: January 17, Emily Sisson; January 24, Ednah Kurgat; January 31, Woody Kincaid; February 7, Grant Holloway; February 14, Yared Nuguse; February 21, Anna Hall; February 28, Talitha Diggs; March 7, Alicia Monson; March 14, Jasmine Moore; March 21, Keyzelle Thomas; March 28, Camille Herron; April 4, Hillary Bor; April 11, Valarie Allman; April 18, Britton Wilson; April 25, Brooke Andersen; May 2, Gabby Thomas; May 9, Connor Burns; May 16, Britton Wilson; May 23, Brooke Andersen; May 30, Ryan Crouser; June 6, KC Lightfoot; June 13, Grayson Murphy; June 20, Yared Nuguse. We welcome your nominations! To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about their performance to communications@usatf.org. Join the conversation with USATF on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #USATF.