Elijah Hall (athlete) facts for kids
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Hall at the 2018 NCAA Division I Indoor Championships
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| Born | August 22, 1994 Katy, Texas, U.S. |
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| Employer | Nike and Red Bull | |||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | |||||||||||||
| Weight | 185lbs | |||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||
| Country | United States | |||||||||||||
| Sport | Track and field | |||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Sprints | |||||||||||||
| College team | Houston Cougars (2017–2018) Butler Grizzlies (2015–2016) |
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| Club | CL Athletics Stars (youth) | |||||||||||||
| Turned pro | June 2018 | |||||||||||||
| Coached by | Leroy Burrell and Carl Lewis | |||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) |
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Medal record
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Elijah Hall-Thompson (born August 22, 1994) is an American track and field sprinter. He is famous for his speed and holds the American record for the indoor 200 meters race. In 2018, he helped the Houston Cougars team win and set a new college record in the 4 × 100 meters relay. That same year, he won both the 60 meters and 200 meters at the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships. His winning time of 20.02 seconds in the 200 meters is one of the fastest times ever recorded indoors.
Elijah was chosen to represent the United States at the 2017 World Championships in the 200m event. However, he had to withdraw because of an injury.
Contents
Early Life and Sports
Elijah Hall grew up in Texas and went to Morton Ranch High School. There, he played American football. Because he was so fast in football, he also ran track after the football season ended.
After his junior year, Elijah tore a ligament in his knee (ACL). After he got better, he broke his arm during football the next year. Even with these injuries, he ran an amazing 20.60 seconds in the 200m race at the Texas UIL 6A State Championships. He started to become more interested in track. He joined a club during the summer and trained with his track rival, Cameron Burrell, whose father was Leroy Burrell, a former world record holder. Elijah decided to stop playing football to focus on track and stay healthier.
College Track Career
Starting at Community College (2015-2016)
Elijah first went to Garden City Community College for a short time. Then, he moved to Butler County Community College. He won the NJCAA indoor title in the 200m race and finished 8th in the 60m. Injuries kept bothering him sometimes. He still helped his team finish 2nd in the 4x100m relay.
In 2016, he won the indoor 200m title again and placed 7th in the 60m. In outdoor races, he won the 100m in 10.16 seconds and came in 2nd in the 200m. He then competed at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. He finished 6th in his 100m race and was disqualified in his 200m race.
Joining the Houston Cougars (2017)
Elijah moved back to Texas and transferred to the University of Houston. He joined Cameron Burrell there and was coached by Cameron's father, Leroy Burrell, and track legend Carl Lewis.
His injury came back when he had to stop during a 200m race at the Fayetteville Tyson Invitational. Two months later, he seemed to be doing well outdoors. He won both the 100m and 200m at the American Athletic Conference Championships. He ran the 200m in a fast 19.96 seconds, helped by the wind. His injury returned again at the NCAA West Preliminary round, so he missed the NCAA Championships.
Elijah finally had a good race at the US Championships. He finished 3rd in the 200m with a time of 20.21 seconds. This meant he qualified for the World Championships in London, England. But his injury came back one more time, and he had to miss the competition.
Becoming a National Record Holder (2018)
Finally feeling healthy, Elijah Hall started to achieve great things in the 2018 season. Before the championships, he had only lost one race between the 60m and 200m events.
At the NCAA Indoor Championships, Elijah stumbled in the 60m race. But he made an amazing comeback and won the title with his fastest time ever: 6.52 seconds. Then, in the 200m, he set a new record for college athletes, for Americans, and for North America (NACAC) with a time of 20.02 seconds. This was the second-fastest indoor 200m time in history! He also helped Houston's 4x400m team finish 4th.
Even after his incredible 200m performance, his coaches, Leroy Burrell and Carl Lewis, decided that Elijah should focus on the 100m for the outdoor season. His first few races were a bit tough. But he made it to the final at the NCAA Championships with two other Houston Cougars: Cameron Burrell and Mario Burke.
With three athletes in the 100m final, Houston easily won the 4x100m relay. They defended their title and set a new college record of 38.17 seconds, even in the rain. Then, in a surprising finish, Elijah came in 2nd in the 100m, right behind Cameron. Both of them beat the favorite runner from Florida State, Andre Ewers. Burke finished 8th. This meant Houston scored 19 points in the final, helping their team finish 2nd overall.
In October 2018, Elijah Hall and Cameron Burrell became professional athletes. They signed contracts with Nike and Red Bull.
Images for kids
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Hall at the 2018 NCAA Division I Indoor Championships
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Hall posing with the clock after setting a collegiate record in the indoor 200m in 2018
See also
In Spanish: Elijah Hall para niños
