Passing the Torch: Jayden Horton-Mims takes over U.S. No. 1 in 400m, but Quincy Wilson’s star still burns bright.

Apr 5, 2025; Gainesville, FL, USA; Tywan Cox of Miami Northwestern (left) defeats Quincy Wilson of Bullis on the anchor of the boys 4 x 400m relay, 3:08.74 to 3:09.97, during the Florida Relays at James G. Pressly Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

In a season already filled with historic performances, jaw-dropping splits, and national records falling like dominoes, another headline just etched itself into the ever-evolving narrative of high school sprinting greatness.

On a brisk spring afternoon, Jayden Horton-Mims blazed a 45.24-second 400-meter dash to leap into the No. 1 spot in the United States, overtaking none other than Quincy Wilson — the Olympic gold medalist and teen phenom who has captured the hearts of fans across the country.

While Jayden’s performance deserves every bit of the spotlight, the moment doesn’t come without reflection on what Quincy Wilson has done to elevate the standard.

These two titans, each remarkable in their own right, are now linked in the story of one of the most competitive 400m seasons in U.S. high school history.

Jayden Horton-Mims: The Statement Performance

Let’s start with what just happened.

Jayden Horton-Mims, already a rising force in sprint circles, went head-to-head with national sensation Quincy Wilson and came out on top in one of the most electric 400-meter showdowns of the season.

In a race that felt more like a championship final than a regular-season clash, Horton-Mims battled stride for stride with Wilson through the curve before surging ahead down the homestretch.

Crossing the line in a personal best of 45.24 seconds, Horton-Mims didn’t just win—he dethroned the reigning U.S. No. 1, resetting the national standard and proving he belongs in the same breath as one of the most celebrated young sprinters in the country.

It wasn’t just the time that it was how it was run.

Horton-Mims attacked the curve aggressively, gliding down the backstretch with smooth efficiency and transitioning into the final 150 meters like a seasoned pro. His form never broke, his pace never faltered.

By the time he entered the homestretch, the race was about keeping the focus on his technique as Quincy Wilson was right on his tail.

And then came the clock: 45.24.

A new U.S. No. 1. A new chapter for the Nike Elite Athlete and former Imhotep Charter Panther, who is now competing for the Center of Education (NJ).

But what makes this moment special isn’t just that Jayden took the No. 1 ranking—it’s who he took it from.

Quincy Wilson: Still the Benchmark

To understand the magnitude of Jayden Horton-Mims’ feat, you have to understand who Quincy Wilson is.

At just 17 years old, Wilson has already amassed a résumé that most athletes dream of.

He made Olympic history in Paris as the youngest male athlete to win gold in track and field since 1928.

He’s a national champion, a record-holder, and the kind of athlete whose mere presence on a heat sheet causes everyone else to step up.

Earlier this season, Wilson torched a 45.13 indoor 400m—a national record—and followed it up with blistering relay legs that have become the stuff of legend.

Just a week ago, he anchored the Bullis School 4x400m to a national record at the Penn Relays, splitting an absurd 43.99 seconds. He’s already established himself as a once-in-a-generation talent.

So when a performance comes along that surpasses Wilson’s, it doesn’t diminish him. It raises the bar for everyone—including himself.

This is not the story of a fallen star. It’s the story of healthy, elite-level competition pushing both athletes to greatness.

And it’s a reflection of Wilson’s influence that Jayden Horton-Mims had to reach this level to even join the conversation.

Let’s be clear: Quincy Wilson’s season is far from over.

He still holds the fastest indoor mark ever by a high schooler and remains a favorite in every race he enters.

The U.S. No. 2 tag doesn’t feel like a step down, but more so fuel for what’s next. If history tells us anything, it’s that Wilson is going to answer.

Iron Sharpens Iron: The Beauty of Competition

There’s a reason why fans love rivalries, and while Horton-Mims and Wilson aren’t in a direct rivalry in the traditional sense, their paths are now intertwined in the purest form of competitive excellence.

Track and field is an individual sport, but no athlete reaches their peak in isolation.

Jayden’s surge is a direct response to the standard Wilson has set.

And if you’ve watched Quincy Wilson race—even once—you know he thrives on being challenged.

We’re now entering a stretch of the season where these two could very well meet on the track.

Whether it’s at New Balance Nationals, Nike Nationals, or even the U.S. U20 Championships, the possibility of Horton-Mims vs. Wilson is tantalizing.

Imagine two sub-45 second talents pushing each other down the homestretch with national and possibly world junior records in sight.

And let’s not forget, both athletes are just getting started.

The Legacy of the Lap

In the last decade, we’ve seen the high school 400 meters slowly evolve.

Athletes like Tyrese Cooper, Elija Godwin, Justin Robinson, and Sean Burrell set the tone. But it’s Wilson, and now Horton-Mims who are redefining what’s possible at the high school level.

For years, a sub-46 performance was rare air. Now, we’re seeing not just one, but multiple athletes making it look routine as the top 7 in the US are below this mark. And what’s more—these guys aren’t just 400-meter specialists.

They’re anchoring relays, doubling in the 200m, and dominating across the board.

Jayden Horton-Mims may have the title of U.S. No. 1—for now—but Quincy Wilson has helped create the platform on which this title holds value.

What Comes Next

As the outdoor season heats up, fans should brace for fireworks.

Horton-Mims will carry the weight of being the nation’s fastest into every meet. But with that comes the target on his back—and no one is better equipped to aim at that target than Wilson.

Could we see a new national record before the season’s end? Absolutely. Could it come from either of these two? Without a doubt.

What we’re witnessing isn’t just fast times. It’s the emergence of a generation of sprinters who refuse to settle.

Jayden’s 45.24 may be the top mark today, but with Wilson in the picture—and others like Da’Mari Thomas, Nyckoles Harbor, and Rodrick Pleasant looming—tomorrow is never guaranteed.

And that’s the beauty of it all.

Final Thoughts

Jayden Horton-Mims’ 45.24 is a milestone—a bold statement in an already blazing season.

He deserves every accolade coming his way. It’s a defining moment that will live in highlight reels and social feeds for years to come.

But let’s not forget the foundation laid by Quincy Wilson. The times he’s posted. The records he’s broken. The excitement he’s brought to the sport.

Even in a moment where he’s been passed, his legacy is being extended—not erased.

In many ways, this isn’t a baton handoff but a relay in motion.

And the next leg might be the fastest one yet.

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