By Eddie Pells

AP National Writer

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — When the track announcer asked Grant Holloway what he thought of his latest win at U.S. track trials, America’s best hurdler made it clear there are bigger things to come.

“If you’re not training to win an Olympic gold medal,” Holloway said, “then what the heck are you doing?”

That mantra has stayed planted in the 26-year-old’s brain over the past three years, ever since an upset loss at the Tokyo Games left him with everything in this sport, except its biggest prize.

On Friday, the three-time world champion earned a trip back to the Olympics, winning the trials with the fourth-fastest time in history, 12.86 seconds, despite clipping the eighth of 10 hurdles in a not-so-subtle reminder of how fickle this event can be.

Others with unfinished business looming at the Olympics include Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles, each of whom blazed through their 200-meter semifinals to set up races Saturday to qualify for their second event.

Richardson faces a matchup against Gabby Thomas in what could be one of the best races of the trials.

Holloway’s 110 hurdles was up there, too, though he’s well aware that making the games and bringing home Olympic gold are two different things.

In Tokyo three years ago, he cleared all 10 hurdles but faded late and lost by .05 to Jamaica’s Hansle Parchment, who runs in his country’s national championship this weekend. Holloway called it one of the worst races he’d ever run and one of Parchment’s best.

Friday’s race marked Holloway’s third sub-13 run of the season — the second-fastest of his career. Freddie Crittenden was .07 seconds behind and Daniel Roberts finished third in 12.96, making this the first race in history with three sub-13 times.

“Obviously, 2021 was a bitter end,” Holloway said. “My main goal was to come out and make the team, first of all. Now, go back and in four or five weeks, be ready to do it again.”

Sha’Carri vs.

Gabby Thomas

Sha’Carri Richardson ran her personal-best time. Gabby Thomas ran the season’s best time.

Up next, a showdown in the final between two of the best this year at 200 meters.

Thomas, the Olympic bronze medalist in 2021, glanced up to the scoreboard and looked surprised when she saw the “21.78” by her name after her semifinal. The mark bettered the best of 2024 by .05.

Richardson was every bit as pleased with her 21.92, which matched a personal best.

“It just shows I’ve been working, not just me but my team, preparing for this moment,” Richardson said.

Thomas ran a smooth curve and accelerated down the homestretch to hit a time even she wasn’t expecting. She said she’d love to put another low number up in the final Saturday.

“I absolutely would,” she said. “If I make the team, I want to come out with another world lead, another ‘pb’ and just show everyone I’m ready to compete.”

Also in the final will be NCAA champion McKenzie Long, whose 21.83 was the best of 2024 before Friday.