Tokyo-bound — Ethan Strand and Maggi Congdon

We love to witness the unexpected. We delight in seeing the underdog surpass the incumbent. As the US track and field scene paused open-mouthed, in shock, as two collegiate athletes edged out Olympic champions and medalists to earn their place on the plane to the Tokyo World Championships, Ethan Strand and Maggi Congdon knew better. This is just the trajectory they are on. No fluke or good fortune — just good performances and well-run races. Not rising to meet the best, but now part of the best.  Here they describe in detail how their race days unfolded and the emotions of making their first World Championships team.

9 Minuten read

Aug. 18, 2025