Watch as another former Kentucky star is crowned with another gold medal

Masai Russell sprints to World Championships with eye on gold

Another summer. Another Kentucky track star running the world.

Masai Russell, the former Wildcat and 11-time All-American, torched the 100-meter hurdles at the USA Championships, running 12.25 in the semis and 12.22 in the final—two of the fastest times in history. She now heads to Tokyo for the World Championships, chasing not just a medal, but legacy.

Russell is already the American record-holder in the event (12.17), set earlier this spring. Only Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan (12.12) has ever run faster.

But Russell’s journey started in Lexington, where she helped define a golden era for Kentucky track and field. From relay dominance to setting a collegiate 100H record at the Texas Relays (12.36), her list of honors is nearly unmatched:

• 11-time All-American
• The Bowerman Semifinalist
• NCAA Championship medalist in 100H, 400H, 4x100, 4x400
• SEC titles and school records from 2019–2023

That is one decorated career.

At Kentucky, Russell was more than fast—she was fearless. She ran with the confidence of someone chasing more than medals. She ran with Kentucky across her chest and the future of American sprinting in her lane.

Now, she’s one of three U.S. hurdlers heading to Tokyo alongside Grace Stark and Alaysha Johnson. And she’s not alone in representing Big Blue.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, another UK legend, won the U.S. title in the 400m flat with a 48.90, choosing that race over her signature 400m hurdles. She’s chasing history of her own—no woman has ever medaled in both events at the Worlds.

Russell’s goals? All but one have come true.

“All the goals that I’ve written down except for the world record have come to fruition,” she said after the race.

One more race. One more shot at history and a world title.

The track may be in Tokyo, but the Cats keep running the world. See both former Cats in Tokyo from from September 13 to 21, 2025.