The excitement is building for the 2025 World Athletics Championships, which gets underway tomorrow in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13-21, one of the highlights of the sporting calendar. For us at FirstPoint USA, there’s an added layer of anticipation as a host of college track and field stars past and present line up to represent their nation in the pinnacle of their sport.
The fiercely competitive US college system has nurtured many of the world’s leading athletes, with the leading universities providing a pipeline for world and Olympic champions, from sprinters to middle distance runners, and those competing in the field. The Championships will inspire college athletes of the future, as we watch those who started their journey with dreams of college sport, chasing down medals under their national flag.
We’ve picked five such athletes to watch, and take a look at their college track pedigrees:
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) - 400m Hurdles
College: University of Kentucky
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone burst onto the scene from a young age with prodigious talent, becoming a track sensation long before reaching college. Her one year at the University of Kentucky in 2018 was nothing short of spectacular. She claimed two NCAA titles, winning both the outdoor 400m hurdles and contributing to Kentucky's 4x400m relay victory. During her collegiate tenure, she set the then-collegiate record in the 400m hurdles and announced her professional arrival.
Since turning pro, McLaughlin-Levrone has redefined the 400m hurdles. She is a double induvial Olympic Gold Medalist from the Tokyo and Paris Games, where she shattered her own world record with a time of 50.37s. She has also won two Olympic Gold medals in the 4 x 400m relays.
Having had to withdraw from the 2023 World Championships through injury after claiming the title the previous year, she’ll be looking to continue her dominance in Tokyo.
Armand Duplantis (Sweden) - Pole Vault
College: Louisiana State University (LSU)
Known universally as "Mondo," Armand Duplantis was destined for greatness from a young age, hailing from a family deeply rooted in pole vaulting. His collegiate career at Louisiana State University was brief but impactful. In 2019, he secured the NCAA Outdoor Pole Vault title, and a track and field star was born.
On the global stage, Duplantis is simply in a league of his own. He is the reigning Olympic Gold Medalist from Paris 2024 and a multiple World Champion, Most remarkably, he is the undisputed world record holder in the pole vault, having consistently pushed the bar higher, currently standing at 6.26 meters (achieved in 2024). Mondo's rise to prominence began in his teenage years, breaking junior records and then seamlessly transitioning to senior dominance, characterized by his fearless approach and unmatched consistency at extreme heights. A generational talent, he has become of the biggest and most popular stars in track and field.
Josh Kerr (Great Britain) - 1500m
College: University of New Mexico
Hailing from Edinburgh, Josh Kerr took the path to American collegiate athletics, joining the University of New Mexico. There, he became a formidable force in middle-distance running, achieving three NCAA titles: two indoor mile/1500m crowns and one outdoor 1500m title. His time in the NCAA system undoubtedly built the strength and tactical acumen crucial for his professional career.
Kerr has since solidified his position as one of the world's elite 1500m runners. His most significant achievements include a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in a highly competitive final, followed by the silver medal in the Paris 2024 games. Undoubtedly his biggest moment came at the 2023 World Championships, showcasing a devasting burst of pace to clinch the gold medal in Budapest. Josh's career is one of steady progression, leveraging his collegiate success to become a major championship contender, proving that the NCAA route can lead directly to global glory.
T'Mars McCallum (USA) - 100m
College: University of Tennessee
T'Mars McCallum is a rising star in the incredibly competitive world of men's sprinting, currently making waves for the University of Tennessee. Competing for the Vols at this year’s NCAA Outdoor Championships, he placed fifth in the 200m and qualified for the 100m final. Later this summer, he ran an incredible time of 9.83 for the 100m record the second fastest college mark of all time , adding a world-leading 200m PB of 19.73.
Qualifying for the World Championships by finishing third at the USATF Outdoor Championships, he’ll be aiming to etch his name in a long list of Team USA sprinters who’ve grabbed gold on the biggest of all track stages.
Louie Hinchliffe (Great Britain) - 4 x 100m Relay
College: University of Houston
Louise Hinchliffe shot to prominence at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, becoming the first ever European to win the men’s 100m, with a time of 9.95. Hailing from Sheffield, he secured a track and field scholarship at the University of Houston and was coached by the legendary sprinter Carl Lewis. He also won the British Championships that same year, becoming the first sprinter to win both.
He qualified for Team GB at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and despite breaking the 10 seconds barrier twice, he went out in the semi-final stages. He also represented Great Britain in the 4 x 100m sprint relay, helping the team to a bronze medal. The 2025 World Championships will offer him a prime opportunity further enhance his reputation as part of the Great Britain relay team.
The journey of these track and field stars—from their NCAA days to global dominance—shows the powerful impact of a US college scholarship. If you're an aspiring track and field athlete with a dream of competing, training, and studying in the States, you don't have to navigate this complex process alone. We've helped thousands of athletes secure life-changing opportunities and scholarships at top-tier American universities.
Don't let your talent go unnoticed—get in touch with our specialist Track and Field consultants today to discuss your future.
