PHX Reporter

World-class hurdler Freddie Crittenden became an Olympian for the first time under the training of Grand Canyon University (GCU) track and field assistant coach Tim O'Neil this weekend at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials. GCU athletes Israel Oloyede and James Smith II also reached finals in their events on Sunday.

Crittenden, who was injured during the 2016 and 2020 trials, secured his spot in the Olympics in the 110-meter hurdles as an unsponsored athlete. The Phoenix resident has been training for six years with O'Neil, founder of Phoenix Track Club, which trains at GCU's track and performance center.

"He never lost faith in me and kept me getting up every day to do it," Crittenden said of O'Neil during a press conference in Eugene, Oregon. "Without them (O'Neil and his family and friends), I would've been done before."

Crittenden, who placed fourth at last year's World Championships, credited O'Neil with strategizing a change in his warm-up plan that set him up for success in each of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials' three races. He ran a personal-best time of 12.93 seconds to take second place in the finals, recording the 13th-best time in world history.

"It was insane," said O'Neil, who also coached two-time Olympic hurdler Devon Allen. "I didn't think our warm-up looked amazing... but when the gun went off, he stumbled coming out and I thought, 'Oh, we're in trouble.' And then he gathered himself... He ran the last half of that race brilliantly."

To achieve his dream, Crittenden worked various jobs including at GameStop, as a warehouse worker, and as a substitute teacher before joining Phoenix-based nonprofit organization G Road. He and his wife are expecting their first child soon.

With fellow qualifiers Grant Holloway (12.83) and Daniel Roberts (12.96), this race marked the first time ever that all three American qualifiers ran the 110 hurdles in less than 13 seconds.

"If I can do it in practice, it's time to do it in a race," Crittenden said regarding his training with O'Neil. "Since my last race in Jamaica at the end of May, my training's been lights out."

O'Neil watched from Hayward Field mezzanine where he stood to record the final despite initial reluctance from another spectator. When asked if he was Crittenden's coach after celebrating loudly post-race, O'Neil confirmed yes; the fan revealed they had come specifically to watch Crittenden race.

"It sent chills," said O'Neil who received numerous well-wishing text messages before the final.

O'Neil expressed gratitude towards GCU senior associate athletic director Anthony Martinez and assistant athletic director of sports performance Zach Farrel for supporting his club work alongside head coach Tom Flood and associate head coach Todd Lehman.

"It feels like home," O’Neil stated about GCU. "We feel welcome... From our GCU athlete standpoint, the kids here are amazing."

Graduate students Israel Oloyede and James Smith II performed at an elite national level by reaching their event finals on Sunday; Oloyede took seventh place in hammer throw while Smith finished fifth in 400-meter hurdles.

Oloyede recently became GCU’s first All-American first-team member with a fourth-place finish at NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships earlier this June with a personal best throw of 75.29 meters (247 feet). His best throw at U.S Olympic Team Trials was 74.32 meters (243 feet 10 inches), securing him seventh place though not enough for Olympic qualification.

Smith improved progressively through heats to semifinals to nine-man finals televised live by NBC on Sunday despite drawing Lane 1 disadvantageously; he surged past four competitors finishing fifth with career-best time of 49.18 seconds though falling short behind top three cracking sub-48 seconds times qualifying for Olympics.

Smith consistently ran sub-50 times this spring lowering personal bests culminating into trials following Edmonton meet clocking prior two weeks ago timing into sub-49 range achieving remarkable progressions leading into significant competitive displays across high-stake stages representing notable commendable performances aligned toward future potential prospects developing within sport domains reflective broader athletic community aspirations envisioned collectively shared endeavors encompassing wider scope commitments aimed fostering excellence nurturing talent realization among aspiring athletes committed journey striving toward pinnacle achievements celebrated globally recognized prestigious platforms advocating sporting ethos embodying spirit competition unity perseverance resilience characterizing enduring legacy foundational values upheld inspiring successive generations athletes pursue dreams passionately dedicated disciplined pursuits inherent sport endeavor encapsulating essence true champion spirit admired revered universally acknowledged celebrated worldwide reaffirmed consistently sustained continuously motivating countless others follow footsteps emulating iconic role models shaping defining moments history etching indelible imprints hearts minds forever remembered cherished always...