Lyles, Norman both PR in Olympic Trials 200 final

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Noah Lyles and Michael Norman wore their high school singlets to the finals of the Olympic Trials 200 meters and found out how they stacked up against some of the best in the world.

Lyles was fourth, breaking Roy Martin's 1985 national high school record by running 20.09 in an effort that almost landed him on the Olympic team. Norman, running two lanes away, ran 20.14 for fifth. 

The two of them brought flair, youthful exuberance and a sense of wonder to an event that was begging for it. Make no mistake: This was one of the greatest moments for high school sprinting -- of all-time.

"Having people that you looked up to, and now racing them, it's an unbelievable thing," Norman said.

Justin Gatlin, Olympic champion in the 100 in 2004, was first on Saturday in 19.75 seconds. He ran in Lane 8 because he was beaten by Vista Murrieta CA's Norman in the semifnals.

LaShawn Merritt, Olympic champion in the 400 in 2008, was second in 19.79. He will go to Rio de Janeiro with the goal in mind of duplicating Michael Johnson's historic 200/400 double. 

Ameer Webb, 2013 NCAA 200 meters champion and no stranger to 19-second territory, nabbed the third spot in 20.00.

Technically, Lyles and Norman are amateurs, which is part of what made their story so compelling this week at Hayward Field. Lyles, of T.C. Williams VA, is headed to Florida. Norman, of Vista Murrieta CA, is preparing to go to USC.

"It was great experience,"Norman said. "I had a lot fun these past three days."

The two of them were a combined 4-0 throught the first round and semifinals, and the excitement began to build that one of them -- or both -- could contend for an improbable spot on the Olympic team. Lyles and Norman also ran with the full understanding about the signficance of a rematch. Lyles beat Norman 20.18 to 20.24 in their only previous meeting, at the 2015 U.S. Junior final at Hayward Field.

Saturday's final was nationally televised and a crowd of 22,000 buzzed as the introductions were made.

Lyles said he woke up Saturday morning and called his sports psychologist to talk and figure out how to settle down. 

"She said I don't want you to think about any of the other racers," he said. "It's nothing about them. It's you. You and the clock. You run your race. They'll run theirs."

Still, when the time came to race, Lyles said it was unlike anything he'd ever experienced.

"It definitely felt different," he said. "I was trying to calm my heart. I was like 'Let's get this. Execute it. Run your own race.' I was ready to let all this energy out."

Norman, with Merritt on right and Webb on his left, gave it everything he had. But he also admitted afterwards that the races on Thursday and Friday had started to wear on him. While the veterans had eased up, Norman and Lyles ran nearly all-out.

"I felt the fatigue from running the two previous rounds," Norman said. "I tried to stay relaxed and keep my form, but it was really difficult to catch (Webb)."

Lyles said he didn't know what place he as in as tried to hold it together for the final 50 meters.

"My form started to break down and I tried to pull it back in quick," he said. "We (were) all going for that first place."