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    Cravont Charleston upstages Michael Norman at Mt. SAC Relays
    • April 16, 2023

    Rai Benjamin of Nike reacts after the 400 meter hurdles Invitational Elite as he won with a time of 47.74 during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Cravont Charleston of Tracksmith wins the 100 meter dash Invitational Elite with a time of 9.87 as Michael Norman of Nike finished third during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Mia Holden of South Pasadena competes in the triple jump Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Fans fins shade wherever they can during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Mia Holden of South Pasadena competes in the triple jump Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Mia Holden of South Pasadena competes in the triple jump Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Mia Holden of South Pasadena competes in the triple jump Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Athletes take a break during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Mia Holden of South Pasadena competes in the triple jump Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Nickolas Miller of Clovis North wins the 200 meter dash Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Daqari Hampton of Wilson Long Beach competes in the triple jump Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    A volunteer takes a break during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Alaya Robinson of Etiwanda competes in the triple jump Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Dijon Stanley, left, of Granda Hills finished fourth and teammate Jordan Coleman, left, finished second behind winner Nickolas Miller, right, of Clovis North in the 200 meter dash Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Mia Holden of South Pasadena competes in the triple jump Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Dijon Stanley, left, of Granda Hills finished fourth behind winner Nickolas Miller, right, of Clovis North in the 200 meter dash Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Athletes the a break in the shade during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Cravont Charleston, center, of Tracksmith wins the 100 meter dash Invitational Elite with a time of 9.87 during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Rai Benjamin of Nike prior to the 400 meter hurdles Invitational Elite wins with a time of 47.74 during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Rai Benjamin of Nike prior to the 400 meter hurdles Invitational Elite as he would go on to win with a time of 47.74 during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Rai Benjamin of Nike reacts after the 400 meter hurdles Invitational Elite as he won with a time of 47.74 during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Rai Benjamin of Nike looks on prior to the 400 meter hurdles Invitational Elite as he would go on to win with a time of 47.74 during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Woman compete in the 100 meter hurdles Invitational Elite during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Johnny Brackins compete in the 110 meter hurdles Invitational Elite during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Rodrick Pleasant of Serra wins the 100 meter dash Invitational with a time of 10.23 during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Rodrick Pleasant of Serra wins the 100 meter dash Invitational with a time of 10.23 during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Reign Redmond, left, of Carson wins with a time of 11.45 ahead of Brazil Neal of Serra who finished third in the 100 meter dash Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Athletes compete in the 110 meter hurdles Invitational Elite during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Adrian Parker of Helix wins the 400 meter dash Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Mai Ricks of Long Beach Poly competes in the shot put Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Jayden Smith, Dijon Stanley, Kanye Martin and Jordan Coleman of Granda Hills after winning the 4×100 meter relays Invitational with a time 40.80 during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Aja Johnson of Notre Dame competes in the shot put Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Laura Brennan of Hart competes in the shot put Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Clint Geryak of St Francis competes in the pole vault Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    The start of the 4×100 girls Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Reign Redmond, center, of Carson runs the anchor leg and wins the girls 4×100 meter relay Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Ma’Nia Tidwell of Wilson Long Beach runs the anchor leg and finishes fifth in the girls 4×100 meter relay Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Reign Redmond, center, of Carson runs the anchor leg and wins the girls 4×100 meter relay Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Loren Webster of Wilson Long Beach competes in the long jump Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Jayden Smith of Granda Hills runs the anchor leg and wins the 4×100 meter relays Invitational with a time 40.80 during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Jayden Smith of Granda Hills runs the anchor leg and wins the 4×100 meter relays Invitational with a time 40.80 during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Davis Davios-Lyric of Upland wins the 300 meter hurdles Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Alaya Robinson of Etiwanda competes in the long jump Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Anna Kowal of South Pasadena competes in the girls 4×100 meter relay seeded during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Clint Geryak of St Francis competes in the pole vault Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    The start of the 4×100 meter relays Invitational during the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

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    WALNUT — As soon as Michael Norman, the reigning world champion at 400 meters, announced he would be focusing on the 100 in 2023 his season opener at the 63rd Annual Mt. SAC Relays Saturday took a circle the date spot on the sport’s calendar.

    The race took on even greater significance when Christian Coleman, the 2019 100 World champion, Georgia’s Matthew Boling, the two-time NCAA indoor 200 champion, and Oregon rising star Micah Williams were added to the field.

    When the sprinters settled into the starting blocks Saturday, Coleman and Williams were scratches from a field that also included former North Carolina State runner Cravont Charleston, who was as oblivious to the pre-race hype surrounding Norman & Company as he was an afterthought.

    “I just focus on myself,” Charleston said later “and the finish line.”

    By the time Charleston, representing Tracksmith, hit the finish line at the world’s largest track meet he had ruined Norman’s coming out party with an emphatic if wind-aided 9.87 second victory.

    Kyree King was was second in 9.98 followed by Norman, the former USC star, at 10.02. Boling was eighth in 10.20.

    “I’ve got a lot of work to do,” Norman said. “But it was a good opener.”

    Rai Benjamin, Norman’s former Trojan teammate and the Olympic and World Championship silver medalist, clocked a world-leading 47.74 seconds in his first 400 hurdles race of the season. Vashti Cunningham, the former World indoor champion, won the high jump with a world lead-equaling leap of 6-feet, 6 inches.

    Norman has a lengthy history at Mt. SAC. He won the meet’s high school 100 as a Vista Murrietta senior in 2016. He ran a 400-personal best of 43.45 at the 2019 meet, a race that made Norman seem destined to break the world record of 43.03.

    “He’s going to be the first man under 43,” Ato Boldon, a four-time Olympic medalist and now an NBC analyst, said at the time. “It’s not matter of if, it’s only a matter of when.

    Instead Kerley knocked Norman off at the U.S. Championships later that summer and then suffered a hamstring injury in the semifinals of the 2019 Worlds.

    He was still the Olympic favorite in Tokyo only to finish fifth.

    Norman finally won the World 400 title last summer in Eugene was his victory was largely overshadowed by Sydney McLaughlin’s Beamon-esque world record shattering, mind blowing 50.68 triumph in the 400 hurdles.

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    Having claimed a global title, Norman shifted his attention to the 100.

    “That’s the main focus this season,” he said. He will run the 100 at the U. S. Championships in Eugene in June and if he makes the team at the World Championships in Budapest later this summer.

    “When you finish the 400, it hurts,” Norman said. “When you finish the 100 it’s like that’s it?”

    Kerley has been hugely successful making a similar move. The former Texas A&M standout took the Olympic 100 silver medal and then led a U.S. sweep of the medals of the Worlds 100 last summer in Eugene.

    Asked Saturday if Kerley’s success in dropping down had inspired him, Norman responded “No, not at all.”

    This isn’t the first time Norman has experimented with the 100. He ran a personal best 9.86 in Fort Worth in July 2020 when the sport was basically on lockdown due to the pandemic. He ran three 100s after the Tokyo Olympic Games, a 9.97 win in Padova, Italy on September 5, 2021, his last attempt at the distance until Saturday.

    Charleston, 25, has often shown potential if not consistency in recent years. He ran a personal best 9.98 in winning a meet in Geneva last year yet failed to make it out of the semifinals at the U.S. Championships.

    Saturday he was smooth all the way as he rode the 3.0 meters per second tailwind to upstage his more well-known rivals.

    “We’re all human,” he said. “so I just ran a race.”

    ​ Orange County Register 

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