Rice Lake's Kenny Bednarek secured his first U.S. track title in the 100 meters, but it was the 200 finish that had everyone's attention.
Two-time Olympic silver medalist and Rice Lake High School alumnus Kenny Bednarek won his first national title at the U.S. track and field trials in Oregon over the weekend, but that's not the race everyone was talking about.
Bednarek won the 100 meters Aug. 2 in an event that serves as a qualifier for the world championships, held next month in Tokyo. His time of 9.79 led a field in which seven runners finished below 10 seconds. It's the fastest time in the world this year.
"It's about damn time," Bednarek said afterward. "I always knew I had the capability of doing it but I just had to believe in myself. This year, I feel like I started living up to my expectations."
First 100m national title, new PB, undefeated season...not a bad time to be Kenny Bednarek.
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 2, 2025
đź“ş NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/a3h2L61nfo
Dreams really do come true.🥇
— Kung Fu Kenny (@kenny_bednarek) August 3, 2025
After three strong rounds in the 100m, I came out on top as the National Champion, made the US team, and set a new personal best of 9.79.
Last year taught me perseverance, how to face tough losses, make the right adjustments, and come back… pic.twitter.com/n9YXGzFz22
Then came the 200 meters, the event in which Bednarek has attained a silver medal in each of the past two Summer Olympics, and things got dicey between Bednarek and Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles, who appeared to taunt Bednarek just before crossing the finish line in first place.
Lyles surged from behind, catching Bednarek and winning in 19.63 seconds, turning to look at Bednarek before the finish line and continuing to stare him down after crossing.
Bednarek gave Lyles a push after the two shook hands.
"Noah is gonna be Noah. If he wants to stare me down, that's fine,” Bednarek said after the race. “I’m very confident I can beat him. What he said doesn’t matter. It’s just what he did. It’s unsportsmanlike (expletive) and I don’t deal with that.”
Noah Lyles vs. Kenny Bednarek didn’t disappoint in a tense 200m. 🍿
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2025
đź“ş NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/NEADV4AcKF
During a post-race interview featuring both runners, Bednarek and Lyles appeared to achieve a tentative peace accord.
“I expect a call,” said Bednarek to Lyles. “I’m saying, if you have a problem, I expect a call. That’s all I’m saying.
“You know what, you are right,” replied Lyles. “You are right. Let’s talk after this.”
The complete Noah Lyles - Kenny Bednarek kerfuffle including the replays and the interview segment after pic.twitter.com/H0vlP88W6a
— Superdrunkmark69 (@cjzer0) August 3, 2025
Lyles, 28, and Bednarek have been the faces of American sprinting for a few years now; Lyles won gold in the 100 meters at the Paris Olympics and bronze in the 200 in both 2024 and 2020 in Tokyo. Bednarek, 26, won the 200-meter silver in both Olympics.
Bednarek, who finished the 200 just .04 behind Lyles, will get a chance to rematch in the event in Tokyo on Sept. 19.
Stevens Point's Roisin Willis wins 800 meters
Stevens Point High School alumna Roisin Willis had her own championship moment at the showcase, winning the 800 meters for her first U.S. title. She passed five runners in final 120 meters and won in 1:59.26.
"I was so far behind, I was boxed in. I was like. 'I've got to get out. I've got to get to Tokyo,'" Willis said in a post-race interview. "So I just saw a gap and went for it."
Willis will be a senior at Stanford next year; she's the first runner to win the 800 meters at both the NCAA and U.S. championships in the same year since 2007, when Cal's Alysia Johnson became the third runner to turn the feat.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kenny Bednarek wins US 100 title, has run-in with Noah Lyles in 200
Category: General Sports
