Three #ProDucks Earn Tickets to World Championships
08/02/25 | Track and Field
The 2025 World Athletics Championships take place Sept. 13-21 in Tokyo.
EUGENE, Ore. — Cole Hocker, Alaysha Johnson and Jaida Ross will represent Team USA once again at the upcoming World Athletics Championships thanks to their qualifying performances on day three of the 2025 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field. All three former Oregon standouts were Olympians last summer in Paris.
Hocker crossed in a season's best 3:30.37 to finish third in the men's 1500 meters. This will be a third overall world team for Hocker, and second outdoor (2023). Hocker kicked his way from fifth to third in the final stretch to secure his spot in Tokyo. Jonah Koech (3:30.17) and Ethan Strand (3:30.25) finished just ahead of Hocker for 1-2, respectively.
In another bronze result, Johnson nabbed the final spot on the World team with her 12.36 showing in the women's 100-meter hurdles. This will be Johnson's third overall World team, and first since 2022 when she qualified for the indoor and outdoor teams. Johnson just out-leaned Keni Harrison (12.37) at the tape for third.
Johnson will be joined by U.S. champion Masai Russell (12.22) and runner-up Grace Start (12.31).
Ross will be making her debut at the World Championships, finishing fourth in Saturday's shot put but still advancing with defending world champion Chase Jackson already guaranteed a spot. Ross tallied a day's best of 19.33m/63-5 on her second attempt of the afternoon. Along with Ross and Jackson, the U.S. shot put squad will include Maggie Ewen and Jessica Ramsey.
Benjamin Balazs finished seventh (8:30.68) in the final of the men's steeplechase, matching his outing from the NCAA Championships this past June. In Friday's opening round, he ran a lifetime-best 8:22.58 to strengthen his already-No. 2 standing in UO history.
During his sophomore season, Balazs was also the Big Ten champion in the steeplechase.
In results featuring athletes with Oregon affiliation, Nikki Hiltz won the women's 1500 meters good for an eighth national title overall. Eric Edwards advanced to Saturday's semifinal heats of the 110 hurdles. Hiltz and Edwards both competed at Oregon before completing their collegiate careers at Arkansas and LSU, respectively.
The USATF Outdoor Championships will serve as the selection event for the upcoming World Athletics Championships (Sept. 13-21, Tokyo) and NACAC Area Championships (Aug. 15-17, Bahamas).
Saturday Results | USATF Championships – Day 2
MEN
1500 Meters, final
3. Cole Hocker – 3:30.37Q [SB]
9. Sam Prakel – 3:33.70
3,000m Steeplechase, final
7. Benjamin Balazs – 8:30.68
Pole Vault, final
4. Cole Walsh – 5.72m/18-9.25 [SB]
WOMEN
100m Hurdles, final
3. Alaysha Johnson – 12.36Q
100m Hurdles, first round
6. Alaysha Johnson – 12.47q
12. Aaliyah McCormick – 12.98
Triple Jump, final
9. Ryann Porter – 13.08m/42-11
Shot Put, final
4. Jaida Ross – 19.33m/63-5Q
Q – advances to World Championships
For more news and information about Oregon cross country and track and field, follow @OregonTF on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Hocker crossed in a season's best 3:30.37 to finish third in the men's 1500 meters. This will be a third overall world team for Hocker, and second outdoor (2023). Hocker kicked his way from fifth to third in the final stretch to secure his spot in Tokyo. Jonah Koech (3:30.17) and Ethan Strand (3:30.25) finished just ahead of Hocker for 1-2, respectively.
In another bronze result, Johnson nabbed the final spot on the World team with her 12.36 showing in the women's 100-meter hurdles. This will be Johnson's third overall World team, and first since 2022 when she qualified for the indoor and outdoor teams. Johnson just out-leaned Keni Harrison (12.37) at the tape for third.
Johnson will be joined by U.S. champion Masai Russell (12.22) and runner-up Grace Start (12.31).
Ross will be making her debut at the World Championships, finishing fourth in Saturday's shot put but still advancing with defending world champion Chase Jackson already guaranteed a spot. Ross tallied a day's best of 19.33m/63-5 on her second attempt of the afternoon. Along with Ross and Jackson, the U.S. shot put squad will include Maggie Ewen and Jessica Ramsey.
Benjamin Balazs finished seventh (8:30.68) in the final of the men's steeplechase, matching his outing from the NCAA Championships this past June. In Friday's opening round, he ran a lifetime-best 8:22.58 to strengthen his already-No. 2 standing in UO history.
During his sophomore season, Balazs was also the Big Ten champion in the steeplechase.
In results featuring athletes with Oregon affiliation, Nikki Hiltz won the women's 1500 meters good for an eighth national title overall. Eric Edwards advanced to Saturday's semifinal heats of the 110 hurdles. Hiltz and Edwards both competed at Oregon before completing their collegiate careers at Arkansas and LSU, respectively.
The USATF Outdoor Championships will serve as the selection event for the upcoming World Athletics Championships (Sept. 13-21, Tokyo) and NACAC Area Championships (Aug. 15-17, Bahamas).
Saturday Results | USATF Championships – Day 2
MEN
1500 Meters, final
3. Cole Hocker – 3:30.37Q [SB]
9. Sam Prakel – 3:33.70
3,000m Steeplechase, final
7. Benjamin Balazs – 8:30.68
Pole Vault, final
4. Cole Walsh – 5.72m/18-9.25 [SB]
WOMEN
100m Hurdles, final
3. Alaysha Johnson – 12.36Q
100m Hurdles, first round
6. Alaysha Johnson – 12.47q
12. Aaliyah McCormick – 12.98
Triple Jump, final
9. Ryann Porter – 13.08m/42-11
Shot Put, final
4. Jaida Ross – 19.33m/63-5Q
Q – advances to World Championships
For more news and information about Oregon cross country and track and field, follow @OregonTF on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Players Mentioned
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Aaliyah McCormick | NCAA 100M Hurdles National Champion
Thursday, June 19
Matti Erickson | NCAA 800M Runner Up
Saturday, June 14
Hayward Field History
Thursday, June 12
2024-25 Oregon Track & Field Intro Video
Thursday, June 12
