2x NCAA XC Champion Graham Blanks Turns Pro & Signs With New Balance, Reflecting On His Career At Harvard And Running 12:59.89 For 5000m

Did you miss us?! The U.S. Olympic Trials are back and better than ever in the second half of the 8-day program, with incredible drama, upsets, and underdog stories across the board. The race of the day (and perhaps the week?) was the women’s steeplechase, where a fast early pace and a topsy-turvy final lap ended with a whole slew of personal bests and rewriting of the record books. Tokyo Olympian Val Constien ended up on top thanks to a phenomenal final 400m, running 9:03.22 to PR by 11 seconds and land at #3 on the U.S. all-time list. Constien had ACL surgery last year and after a long road back is better than ever. We got our first peeks at the 400m hurdles crew, and the main takeaway from the first round is that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Rai Benjamin are looking like world beaters out for an easy jog. McLaughlin-Levrone in particular shut it down entirely over the final two laps and still ran 53.07, the third-fastest performance in the world this year behind her own season’s best and Femke Bol’s world lead. Speaking of first looks, Erriyon Knighton doesn’t seem to have missed a step as he ran his first 200m in four months, cruising through the first round with a 20.15 just behind Noah Lyles’s 20.10 in an earlier heat. And a stacked final is set for the 5000m, where reigning U.S. champ Abdi Nur takes on two of the three members of Team USA in the 10,000m, the 1500m Trials champ, and two NCAA champs. The middle-distance rounds will continue to get more and more cutthroat, with the women’s 1500m featuring Elle St. Pierre, Heather MacLean, Cory McGee, Emily MacKay, Elise Cranny, Nikki Hiltz, Sinclaire Johnson, and more heading to the semis and Olympians Bryce Hoppel and Clayton Murphy looking ready to once again do battle in the 800m.

28 Juni 20241h 33min

“I will forever bet on myself no matter what. If my gut is telling me something’s going wrong, I'm going to make sure it’s going right. I'm always going to bet on myself no matter what… And that’s been paying off my entire career." Fred Kerley joins us live in Eugene after finishing third in the 100m at the U.S. Olympics Trials to book his ticket to another Olympic Games. From switching events to switching sponsors to trusting his fitness, Fred Kerley is always going to bet on himself. Fred shares about how he’s built unshakeable confidence in his abilities, what in his training indicated that he was capable of qualifying for the 100m, his goals for the Olympics, what he thinks it’ll take to win Olympic gold, and how he manages pressure. Hear more from Fred and what’s ahead for his career in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast. Host: Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Guest: Fred Kerley | @fkerley99 on Instagram _________ CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for day seven of the Olympic Trials include Fred Kerley and Taliyah Brooks. LIVE SHOWS Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT. TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet. LIVE MEET COVERAGE Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel. MORNING RUNS Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/ SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

28 Juni 202418min

“I know I made the right decision, but I don't even think it was a matter of if I made the right or wrong decision because either way I was going to make it be the right decision. I was going to force it to be the right decision. I feel like that’s what we had to do. There were so many question marks coming into this year, this Olympic Trials. I literally made it be the right decision and I just believed in that so wholeheartedly and here we are.” Allie Wilson joins us live in Eugene after her runner-up finish in the U.S. Olympic Trials 800m to qualify for her first Olympic team. Allie breaks down the chaos of the 800m final at the Trials + shares about taking a bet on herself by leaving her former track club and sponsor, why she decided to follow her coaches, how she’s been able to grow her confidence over the past few years, and lots more. Hear more about Allie’s incredible journey to the top in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast. Host: Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Eric Jenkins | @_ericjenkins on Instagram Guest: Allie Wilson | @allie_oop9 on Instagram _________ LIVE SHOWS Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT. TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet. LIVE MEET COVERAGE Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel. MORNING RUNS Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/ SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

27 Juni 202439min

“Leading up to the Trials, I was in phenomenal shape. I was putting together quite a few consistent races. But getting 4th, I just feel like I beat myself. Not even trying to be funny, those guys didn’t beat me – I beat myself because of the way I ran in the semi compared to what I ran in the final. I think I left like a half second out there… It was a great battle. I still feel like I finished really hard to get that third spot, but those guys got the best of me.” Olympic gold medalist Vernon Norwood joins us live in Eugene after his 4th place finish in the 400m at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Vernon breaks down the 400m rounds at the Trials, how the 4x400m relay pool selection process works, shares the behind-the-scenes of creating a top tier 4x400m relay team, how he’s remained a consistent top performer at 32-years-old, and a few funny stories with other top U.S. sprinters. Hear more from Vernon in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast. Host: Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Guest: Vernon Norwood | @vernon400m on Instagram _________ LIVE SHOWS Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT. TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet. LIVE MEET COVERAGE Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel. MORNING RUNS Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/ SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

27 Juni 202429min

“I'm very optimistic. I’m going into the 800 ready to showcase my new speedsuit and I’m ready to show everyone what I can do as a pro. My goal is to PR in every event. I don’t want people to think now that I’m pro I’m not going to get better. I feel like I’ll continue to improve and I’m super excited.”  Eric Holt joins us live in Eugene to announce his pro contract with PUMA after racing at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. Eric shares about his path to finally turning pro, how having a pro contract + extra income will improve his career, how he’s handled all the recent media attention, and breaks down what his typical race strategy is. Hear more from Eric and what’s next for his running career in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast. Host: Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Eric Jenkins | @_ericjenkins on Instagram Guest: Eric Holt | @eholtthebolt on Instagram _________ LIVE SHOWS Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT. TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet. LIVE MEET COVERAGE Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel. Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/ SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

27 Juni 202423min

“I'm still processing everything. It still very much feels like a dream. I keep telling everyone that every morning I’ve woken up since the race, I keep having to check my phone, check the date, and make sure I’ve already raced and that it’s not coming up. I was like, ‘Wait, that actually happened, right?’ I feel like for me it’s been a lot of processing, a lot of pinch me moments, but a lot of joy.” Sister duo Juliette and Isabella Whittaker join us live in Eugene after their breakout performances at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. Juliette qualified for her first Olympic team by placing third in the 800m and Isabella took 6th in the 400m final. The sisters share about how they were able to split their focus between the NCAA season and Olympic Trials, how they manage nerves before their races (and each other's races!) and lots more. Hear more from Juliette and Isabella in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast. Host: Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Guest: Juliette Whittaker | @jwhittaker22 on Instagram + Isabella Whittaker | @b_whit215 on Instagram  _________ CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for day six of the Olympic Trials include Chari Hawkins, Anna Hall, Nia Akins, Eric Holt, Vernon Norwood, Allie Wilson, and Juliette + Isabelle Whittaker. LIVE SHOWS Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT. TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet. MEET COVERAGE Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

27 Juni 202417min

“Coming in here, I was confident in my training and what we’ve done and I felt ready, but also I felt like maybe everyone was feeling that way – so it was important to show up, take care of business, not sleep on anybody, and make it through the rounds as safely as possible.” Nia Akins joins us live in Eugene after winning the 800m title at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. Nia breaks down how she approached the 800m rounds at the Trials, how she stayed composed during the 800m final when chaos broke out, shares about how she gained confidence heading into the meet, how she and coach Danny Mackey structure her training + competition schedule, and lots more. Hear more from Nia in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast. Host: Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Guest: Nia Akins | @nia_akins on Instagram _________ CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for day six of the Olympic Trials include Chari Hawkins, Anna Hall, Nia Akins, Eric Holt, Vernon Norwood, Allie Wilson, and Juliette + Isabelle Whittaker. LIVE SHOWS Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT. TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet. LIVE MEET COVERAGE Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel. Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/ SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

27 Juni 202428min

“This year has just been so, so hard. My coaches and those around me can attest to that. There were a lot of days where I was like, ‘Track’s not fun anymore. Is this worth it? I don’t think this is going to work.’ The emotions coming from there to be like, ‘Wow, we really did this’ just all flooded out of me.” Anna Hall joins us live in Eugene after winning the heptathlon title at the U.S. Olympic Trials, less than a year after undergoing knee surgery. Anna chats with us about the obstacles she overcame over the past few months to become the U.S. champion, the emotion she and her family shared together post-competition, and even gives us a peek inside her journal where she captured her thoughts throughout the meet. Hear more from Anna on her incredible comeback in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast. Host: Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Guest: Anna Hall | @annaa.hall on Instagram _________ LIVE SHOWS Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT. TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet. LIVE MEET COVERAGE Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel. Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/ SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

27 Juni 202426min