In a performance that left statisticians scrambling, Brandon LaFell Jr. etched his name into the history books at the 2025 adidas Track Nationals, clocking 49.55 in the middle school boys’ 400m dash – bettering the previous meet record of 49.65, held by none other than Olympian Quincy Wilson.

Only in Grade 8 and representing Dave Bethany Track Club, LaFell’s fast lap not only hits the rarely achieved milestone of breaking 50 seconds at his age, but also places him among the fastest young quarter-milers in recent memory.

The meet record-breaking run by Brandon LaFell Jr.

Following in Historic Footsteps

Wilson, the previous meet record holder, has become a household name in American track & field. In 2024, Wilson captured global attention by setting U18 world bests in both the indoor and outdoor 400 meters.

Representing Maryland’s Bullis School, Wilson broke the American high school records en route to earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in the men’s 4x400m relay – becoming the youngest male American Olympian in track and field history at just 16 years old.

He later earned a gold medal in Paris after competing in the relay heats.

Wilson’s rise began years earlier, however.

At the AAU Junior Olympics, while still in Grade 8, he ran a quick 47.77-a time that remains one of the fastest ever recorded by a middle schooler.

That performance showed the track world that Wilson was not just talented, but generational.

The fact LaFell has now surpassed one of Wilson’s early meet records at adidas Nationals adds an extra layer of excitement to his own journey.

While comparisons are inevitable, LaFell’s performance speaks volumes on its own.

Brandon LaFell Jr. scores multiple event wins at adidas

Building a Sprint Resume

The 49.55 was far from a one-off. In the 2025 season alone, LaFell Jr. has produced a remarkable sprint trifecta:

• 100m: 11.47

• 200m: 22.41

• 400m: 49.15

This kind of range points to a young athlete whose development is well ahead of his years. For context, sub-50 seconds in the 400m is a benchmark most high school upperclassmen chase. LaFell is doing it before becoming a high school freshman. His run at adidas Track Nationals wasn’t just a win – it was an announcement onto the scene.