By: Aaron Li

Quincy Wilson is the latest track and field prodigy, breaking the Men’s 400m record time for runners under eighteen twice in two days. He is the first to do so in 42 years, proving his potential as a rising star.

His record-breaking time was a lightning-fast 44.59. It was a mere 42 milliseconds slower than the first-place sprinter, Quincy Hall. At age sixteen, Quincy has already attracted the attention of six-time gold medalist Noah Lyles and three-time gold medalist Sha’Carri Richardson.

Quincy was born into a military family in Maryland in 2008. From the beginning, he has had a tough mentality, one where grind and sacrifice was required to succeed.

As a high school junior, his form is a little lopsided, but he regularly beats his competitors nevertheless. To Quincy what matters is the mentality, the willingness to give every ounce of energy into his race. “If you look at me, I’m not as strong. But that’s 100 percent heart.” Quincy’s age put him at a disadvantage at the trials. When next to two seasoned veterans, who both were almost double his age and triple his experience, Wilson was just “running for his life,” putting everything he had into the race.

Despite being the fan favorite, Wilson placed sixth in the finals and did not make the Olympics. Even so, he certainly has a “bright future,” says fellow sprinter Vernon Norman.