The Race for Nanjing: Who Will Make Team USA at the Indoor Championships?

The Race for Nanjing: Who Will Make Team USA at the Indoor Championships?

For the first time since 2019, the U.S. Indoor Championships return to the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. Over two days, America’s best track and field athletes will battle for a place on Team USA at the 2025 World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China. The stakes couldn’t be higher. With several defending champions absent, new names have a chance to break through, while seasoned veterans look to prove they still belong at the top.

The Men’s Showdowns

Can experience outshine youth in the 60m?

If you watched the Millrose Games, you might think the men’s 60m title belongs to Marcellus Moore. The young sprinter has been on fire this season. But big moments often favor veterans, and there are a few who could ruin his plans. Trayvon Bromell and Ronnie Baker have been in these races before and know how to handle high-pressure situations. Both have proven their ability to deliver when it matters most. With Noah Lyles sitting this one out, the door is open for a new champion. But whether it’s Moore’s breakout moment or a veteran’s return to glory, this race will be one to watch.

Josh Hoey’s chance for redemption
Hoey came painfully close to making Team USA last year, missing out on both the indoor and outdoor squads. But 2025 has been a different story. He has been unbeatable so far, winning all three of his races this season and breaking American records in the 800m and 1000m along the way. With defending World and U.S. champion Bryce Hoppel absent, this is Hoey’s best opportunity to punch his ticket to Nanjing. His biggest challenge might be managing the expectations that come with being the favorite. But if his recent performances are anything to go by, he looks ready to handle the pressure.

Hobbs Kessler chases his first national title
Kessler is only 21, but he already has two World Championship medals to his name. He ran 3:46 in the mile earlier this year, proving he’s in the best shape of his career. Yet, despite all his accomplishments, he has never won a U.S. title. That could change this weekend. With no Yared Nuguse or Cole Hocker in the field, Kessler is the clear favorite in the 1500m. He’s also entered in the 3000m, where he has the second-fastest personal best in the field. A double victory isn’t out of the question.

The pole vault squeeze

Sam Kendricks, KC Lightfoot, and Chris Nilsen have all cleared six meters. But only two can go to Nanjing. Lightfoot has struggled this season, only clearing 5.65m in his lone competition. If he can’t find his rhythm, Kendricks and Nilsen should secure their spots. But anything can happen in the pole vault, and one mistake could change everything.

The Women’s Battles

Will youth take over in the 60m?
Jacious Sears is a rising star in the sprints. She’s coming off a strong showing at the Millrose Games and has the talent to win her first national title. But experience matters in these races. Celera Barnes and Mikiah Brisco have been here before, and they know how to navigate the rounds. With Aleia Hobbs absent, the podium could be a mix of new names and seasoned pros.

A wide-open women’s 800m
For years, Ajee’ Wilson and Raevyn Rogers dominated this event. Then Athing Mu arrived in 2021, making the team even harder to crack. But things are different now. The best American 800m runners this season are still in college, and none are competing. That leaves Wilson, Olivia Baker, Nia Akins, and Sage Hurta-Klecker as the main contenders. All eight top entrants have seed times between 2:00 and 2:01, meaning this race will be more about tactics than raw speed. Whoever positions themselves best in the final 100 meters will likely take the win.

A packed 1500m and 3000m
The women’s middle-distance fields are stacked. Heather MacLean, Sinclaire Johnson, and Dani Jones have all opted for the 1500m. Meanwhile, Emily MacKay and Whittni Morgan are focusing on the 3000m. Some athletes, like Nikki Hiltz, Shelby Houlihan, and Katelyn Tuohy, are doubling in both events. The depth in these fields is so strong that someone who finishes fifth or sixth in Staten Island could still be a medal contender in Nanjing.

Can Vashti Cunningham extend her streak?
Cunningham has owned the U.S. Indoor Championships in the high jump for a decade. She won her first title while still in high school and hasn’t lost one since. But she hasn’t competed since finishing fifth at the Olympics, her best result in three Olympic appearances. Last summer, she lost her outdoor title in Eugene, finishing third at the U.S. Trials. She’s still the favorite, but with an extended layoff, it’s fair to wonder if her dominance is coming to an end.

Who gets left out in the hurdles?
The women’s 60m hurdles might be the deepest event at the championships. The U.S. has three of the top six hurdlers in the world right now: Masai Russell, Grace Stark, and Alia Armstrong. But only two can make the team. That means one of the best hurdlers in the world will be staying home. The final should be one of the most competitive races of the weekend.