Jayden DeLeon added the latest twist to a rivalry that’s quickly becoming must-watch on the track.
The recent Oakland Mills graduate beat Olympic gold medalist Quincy Wilson in the men’s 400 meters Friday night at the World U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, pulling away late to win in a championship-record 44.47 seconds. Wilson, a Bullis School graduate from Potomac, Maryland, took silver in 44.62.
For DeLeon, an LSU signee and Howard County native, it was another statement performance in a 2026 season that has already turned heads. He also won the USATF U20 national title in 44.52, and that time made him the second-fastest high school 400-meter runner behind Wilson, while punching his ticket to Team USA for the World U20 Championships.
After the race, DeLeon turned up the heat even more on social media. In a statement shared on Instagram, he said, "No more talking, no more doubting me, no nothing," DeLeon said in a statement shared on Instagram. "I'm the best to ever do this - ever."
He also posted, "We bring back gold every single time no matter what jersey we got on," said DeLeon, who trains with The House Running Club (Washington, DC).
DeLeon’s rise this year has been built on a string of big marks. Earlier in the year, he ran a 32.75 300m, a time that placed him No. 5 all-time among U.S. high school runners. He also clocked a 20.68 200m at the Nike Outdoor Nationals and a 46.33 400m at the New Balance Nationals before the summer.
Wilson, meanwhile, is heading into his freshman season at the University of Maryland after a standout run at Bullis School. The Montgomery County private school product was named the Gatorade Maryland Boys Track & Field Player of the Year for the third straight time, earning the honor in 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Friday’s final was the third time the two have met this year. Wilson won the first matchup, but DeLeon has taken the last two. With both moving on to their college careers, this one looks like it’s only getting started.
In Other News...
Marylands Biggest Fall Camp Questions Are Starting To Take Shape
Fall camp is giving Maryland a clearer picture of what the offense could look like when the 2026 season arrives. The Terrapins have a quarterback room that appears to be settling in, a backfield that already has a familiar lead option, and an offensive line that brings back enough experience to give the staff a steadier foundation. Add in a batch of new receivers, and the early shape of the unit is starting to come into focus even before the first meaningful snap is played.
The more intriguing questions may sit on the other side of the ball, where Maryland believes it has the kind of edge-rusher group that can change a game without needing much help. Zion Elee is part of that mix now, joining a group that already has established names and plenty of competition for playing time. The position-by-position projection suggests the Terps are not just sorting out starters, but also trying to figure out how much upside this roster can realistically unlock once camp battles begin to sort themselves out. [Read more 🡒]
Sidney Stewart Is Taking On A Much Bigger Maryland Role
Sidney Stewart is heading into his second college football season with a noticeably different look and a much bigger responsibility. The sophomore edge rusher changed his jersey number, trimmed his hair and, more importantly, has spent this offseason focused on personal growth as he settles into a larger Maryland role. He is also trying to set the tone for younger teammates, including Zion Elee, while balancing the shift from promising newcomer to one of the players opponents will start circling on the scouting report.
For Maryland, that makes Stewart more than just another returning pass rusher. He is now in the spot where production has to be matched by leadership, and he seems to understand that the better he plays, the more attention he will draw from opposing game plans. The challenge from here is not only to keep improving his own game, but to help bring along the players around him as the Terps build out the next layer of their defense. [Read more 🡒]