Fred Kerley is now the fastest man in the world. It was fitting that the feat happened on the campus of the University of Oregon, home of the Ducks.
This past Saturday, July 16, Kerley registered his third consecutive sub-9.8 second performance in the preliminary heats, running a time of 9.79 seconds. In the final, Kerley won his maiden individual World Championship gold medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
Kerley clocked a 9.76 time, his personal best, in the 100-meter event from lane six finishing first at the USA Track and Field (USATF) outdoor championship back on June 24, also held at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
His personal best time of 9.76 makes him the sixth fastest man in history over the straightaway sprint.
When asked why he ran the 9.7 in the first round Kerley responded, “Because they had to go to sleep thinking about that 9.7. I didn’t.”
Along with bringing home the world championship and gold medal, Kerley collected $70,000 in prize money from the event.
Fellow Americans Marvin Bracy-Williams and Trayvon Bromell completed the medal sweep for the United States in the 100-meter event placing second and third.
Since June 9, Kerley has clocked a 100- meter time of 9.92 or faster six times on his way to the world crown.
Kerley attended Taylor High School and his youth team was the College Station Sprinters in College Station, Texas. Afterwards, he attended South Plains College from 2013 to 2015 before transferring to Texas A&M University.
Less than one year ago Taylor celebrated a silver medal performance at the Olympic games in Tokyo, Japan by hometown track athlete, Fred Kerley.
