Christie becomes first male competitor since Seaman in 2000 and 2004 to capture back-to-back Trials victories, earning 33rd career national crown; Stevens is first female athlete to win consecutive Trials titles since Michta-Coffey in 2012 and 2016

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Photos by John Nepolitan

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – The champions were the same as they were three years ago, but the emotions and experiences were much different Saturday for Nick Christie and Robyn Stevens at the 20-kilometer racewalking championships at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Following their victories at a sparsely attended event in 2021 as a result of the strict protocols and guidelines connected with the COVID-19 pandemic, Christie – representing New York Athletic Club – and Wolfpack Running Club competitor Stevens fed off the appreciation and support of an energetic crowd surrounding the 1-kilometer looped course in downtown Springfield.

INTERVIEWS | JOHN NEPOLITAN PHOTOS

Christie, 32, prevailed in 1 hour, 24 minutes, 46 seconds to capture his 33rd career U.S. national title, with fellow New York Athletic Club competitor Emmanuel “Natos” Corvera clocking 1:30:15 to place second and Jordan Crawford of the Raleigh Walkers taking third in 1:30:52.

Christie, who achieved a 5-kilometer split of 20:42 and had a mark of 41:36 at the midway point Saturday, improved from 1:30:48 in 2021 in Oregon to become the first male athlete since Tim Seaman in 2000 and 2004 to capture back-to-back Olympic Trials crowns.

Stevens, 41, triumphed in 1:37:38, a full two minutes ahead of Miranda Melville, 35, of New York Athletic Club, with 58-year-old Michelle Rohl of Greater Philadelphia Track Club securing third in 1:42:27.

Talia Green, 18, a Claremont-Mudd Scripps commit from College Prep High in California, earned eighth place in 1:51:04 in her Olympic Trials debut.

Allen James, 60, representing So Cal Track Club, finished 14th in the men's competition in 1:43:26.

Stevens built a 72-second advantage against Melville at the 5-kilometer mark with a 23:28 split and came through halfway at 47:33 en route to becoming the first female competitor to win consecutive Olympic Trials racewalking titles since Maria Michta-Coffey in 2012 and 2016.

Stevens placed 33rd in the 20-kilometer racewalk final at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Christie finished 50th in his championship race three years ago in Japan.

None of the six podium finishers have the Olympic standard, with all three female competitors positioned between 70th and 80th in the World Rankings quota, and Christie at 75th.

The Olympic 20-kilometer racewalk finals in August in Paris will showcase 48 athletes in each gender.

Christie and Melville are hoping to make the cut among the top 25 countries to compete in the mixed racewalking relay in France, but are currently 30th in the World Rankings.

In addition to his back-to-back victories, Christie produced his fourth straight podium appearance, along with third-place finishes in 2012 and 2016.

Melville also made her fourth consecutive podium at the Olympic Trials, including three runner-up finishes.

Rohl earned her first podium finish since winning the Trials in 2000, with Corvera improving from a third-place effort three years ago.