Hiltz wins US championships 1,500m title once again

Nikki Hiltz secured their fourth consecutive outdoor U.S. national 1,500 meters title on Saturday, emerging victorious in a thrilling three-way sprint finish. After the race, Hiltz draped a trans pride flag over their shoulders, marking a significant moment as a pioneer for non-binary athletes. The national championships, held in New York for the first time in over three decades, saw nearly full stands, a welcome change after two days of lower attendance. Hiltz, who uses they/them pronouns, delivered the most exciting performance of the night in the women's metric mile, crossing the finish line with a superb tactical run in four minutes and 6.92 seconds. They moved to the outside of Addy Wiley in the final straight and held off a late charge from Emily Mackay to win. "My mom's from Long Island so I feel like a little part of me is from here," Hiltz said, embracing the cheers of the crowd. In other events, home hope Dalilah Muhammad, an Olympic gold medalist, easily advanced in the women's 400m hurdles heat with a time of 54.80 seconds. Brittni Mason won the women's 100m ambulatory final in 12.16 seconds, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani presenting the tape. Aaliyah Butler claimed her first national title in the women's 400m flat, finishing in 49.93 seconds. Alia Armstrong won the women's 100m hurdles in 12.38 seconds.

“

My mom's from Long Island so I feel like a little part of me is from here.