The goal for a lot of track and field athletes is to represent their nation at the Olympics and even maybe win a medal. For American track and field athletes, the start of obtaining that goal is running at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. This event is arguably some of the most entertaining track and field in the U.S. you will find. From all over the country, athletes who have qualified via running a certain time, come to Eugene to race and compete for three spots in each event to represent Team USA at the Olympics in Paris later this summer. Along with being very entertaining, the Trials can be very confusing, however, I am going to make it easier. Every one of the nine days I will post content, breaking down the best events from the day before, explaining what will happen in the day to come, and then having a schedule with races of the day and telling you how to watch each day's action. I will be starting that series today. In this particular newsletter, I picked four athletes who are my athletes to watch for next week in their respective events. 

Yared Nuguse

Ever since Yared Nuguse qualified for his first Olympics back in 2021, he has been on fire. To just name a few of his best achievements, Nuguse holds both the 1500m and the Mile American records, along with running amongst the world’s best. For example, at this year’s Bowerman Mile at the PRE Classic, Nuguse competed against Jakob Ingebrigsten and Josh Kerr and competed well, pushing those two until the end. In these trials, Nuguse is entered in both the 5k and his best event the 1500m. While Nuguse is the obvious favorite in the 1500m, I would make the argument that he could qualify for the Olympics in the 5k as well. Nuguse will come into this event ranked as the fifth-fastest American in the event. With that ranking, I don’t foresee there being any issue with Nuguse trying to make it to the final. Once into the final, I believe that Yared Nuguse could place in the top three and receive the Olympics berth. His speed will help him immensely when it comes down to a “Kick For Home” (Ha), which will help him qualify for the Olympics. The 1500m as I said should be a bit easier for Nuguse. His path to the final much like in the 5k, will be easier than normal because of just how fast he is. Once in the final, Nuguse will also perform very well, like he does when under pressure. For all of these reasons, Yared Nuguse is an athlete to watch for next week. 

Parker Valby

As I was planning for this newsletter and starting to write it, Parker Valby a recent graduate from Florida University has always been on this list. If you follow NCAA Track and Field or Cross Country to any extent, I bet you have heard of Parker Valby before. Whether it is because of her non-traditional training techniques such as only running three days a week, or the fact that she holds both the 5k and 10k NCAA Records outdoors, and indoors she holds the 5k record. Valby first truly burst onto the scene when she tried to run away from another NCAA standout, Katelyn Tuohy at the 2022 NCAA Cross Country championships until Tuohy caught up and passed her at the end. But, following that Valby wasn’t discouraged and would go on to win last year’s Cross Country national title, along with two outdoor titles in 5k and 10k just a few weeks ago. In Eugene this next week, Valby is slated to compete in both the 5k and the 10k. Not only will she compete but I feel that she has a very large chance of qualifying for Paris in both events. Among her competition, Valby is seeded as the fifth fastest in the 5k and fourth in the 10k. However, if there is one thing I have learned after being in this sport for a while, it is that anything can happen on the day of the race. Someone may scratch and not start, someone may fall, or someone may have a once-in-a-lifetime performance. All of these factors, along with Valby's incredible racing abilities, will allow Valby an extraordinary shot at going to Paris. Valby is an awesome athlete and watching her run is incredible, that is why she has made it on this list. 

Noah Lyles

This next person is 100% a No-Brainer and for very good reason. Noah Lyles is the reigning World Champion in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m and he has huge goals to hopefully achieve those goals in Paris. The reason why he is such a No-Brainer, and why he should be an athlete to watch for is because of how entertaining he is. Not only is Lyles fast, this is proven by him holding the American record in the 200m, and winning 6 world championships, but Lyles is also one amazing personality. Earlier, Lyles made an Instagram story post saying he would run 9.65 in the 100m and 19.10 in the 200m (a world record time), not only is that crazy to say, but what makes it even crazier is that it isn’t out of his reach, he is that good. Along with calling his shot, Lyles also called out the NBA for being frauds of some kind. He said that whenever NBA Finals Champions wear things saying World Champion, “World Champion of What? The United States?”  People like to get behind who have strong opinions and if you want to get behind someone who has a strong opinion, and is really fast, then Noah Lyles is that guy. In Eugene, Lyles will obviously compete in both the 100m and the 200m, where he is one of the top two qualifiers in both events. However, winning in both will not be the simplest of tasks because of how good U.S. sprinting has become. Nonetheless, both the 100m and the 200m will be exciting, and you should make sure to watch for Noah Lyles. 

Sha’Carri Richardson

A common theme between the three prior athletes is that they are all super entertaining to watch while being fast. That is why they are on this list, and why this athlete is on it as well. If you don’t know who Sha’Carri Richardson is or have never heard her name before, you most definitely should, because she is truly the real deal. Richardson, like Lyles, is also the reigning World Champion in the 100m and the 4x100m, unfortunately, she was unable to win in the 200m, but that is a different story. Another thing that Richardson has in common with Lyles, is that she has a great personality and always keeps the sport fun. This is apparent because if you look back at any race she has run in before she is always wearing a new outfit or style alongside or normal uniform. Along with being one of the most stylish athletes in the world, she is also super, super fast on the American stage and on the World’s stage. Coming into these Trials Richardson will compete in both the 100m and the 200m, where she is ranked 1st in the 100m, and 3rd in the 200m. This may sound like deja vu, but another thing that Richardson has in common with Lyles is that Richardson’s path to Paris will be everything but a Cakewalk. Like on the Men’s side, the Women’s side of U.S. sprinting is looking really good and will make it harder for Richardson. But, something that being harder races does for you is make you run faster, and I foresee that happening for Sha’Carri Richardson. 

You should have all four of these athletes on your list of people to watch for next week. This is also another reminder to follow the Kicking For Home Instagram page to stay up to date with all of the action.