Joseph Fahnhulleh, Track Star and National Champion

Photo Courtesy of  Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

What has Joseph Fahnbulleh not done now? As a high schooler for Hopkins, he won two Minnesota state 200m championships, set -- and still holds -- the Minnesota state records in the 100m and 200m and won national 100m and 200m titles at New Balance Nationals.

A season later, in his first year with the University of Florida, he had a breakout indoor season. Then on Friday he added to his bevy of accomplishments, winning his first individual NCAA National Championship!

Fahnbulleh competed in the 100m and 200m at the NCAA DI Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He came away with an eighth-place finish in the 100m finals with a time of 10.21, but it was in the 200m where he made his statement. 

See also: Joseph Fahnbulleh, Among the Best Sprinters in the World | An Interview with Hopkins Alumni Joseph Fahnbulleh | Hopkins Alumni Fahnbulleh and Klecker Shine at Next Level

Fahnbulleh came into the 200m as one of the favorites, since the 200m is his stronger event and he had a season-best of 20.05 from the SEC Championships. He started off the race with his trademark slow start, but by the time he came to the straight he started to gain ground. 

With about 50m left he was still behind Terrance Laird, Shaun Maswanganyi, and Micaiah Harris. But he used his long legs, his incredible stride, and that insane top speed to pass them with ease as he edged Laird for the win. 

Fahnbulleh finished with a time of 19.91 to just beat out Laird's time of 19.94.