Olympic gold medalist and track and field athlete Quincy Wilson announced his commitment to the University of Maryland on Monday. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 17-year-old was the youngest track-and-field athlete to earn a gold medal for the United States. He is also the first athlete to have participated in the Olympics and to join the program in Maryland.
Quincy Wilson chose the University of Maryland over other offers
Wilson received offers from South Carolina, Southern California, Texas A&M and UCLA. He will be joining Maryland after completing his current senior year at the Bullis School in Potomac.
“You are better than me in every way, and I cannot be prouder,” Wilson’s father said prior to the announcement, according to WTOP.
“Quincy is a generational athlete who has the upside to continue to thrive at the top of our sport,” head coach Andrew Valmon added in a press release. “His support system here at Maryland, in his home state, is unmatched. I am excited to get to work on this next phase of his journey.”
Wilson highlighted the importance of staying in his home state to pursue his studies and training. He said it would allow him to keep enjoying the comforts of home, such as his mother’s cooking, while pursuing his collegiate career.
“I never really wanted to follow a lot of other athletes; I always wanted to start a trend,” Wilson said, according to The Washington Post. “I hope a lot of other athletes from the DMV, when they chose to go to school, it can be Maryland.”
Wilson also attributed his relationship with Valmon as having played a big part in accepting the offer at Maryland.
“It was great to have another Olympian as my coach, to be able to talk to [a] former world champion, Olympic champion, 400-meter world record holder,” he told The Washington Post. “We can have similar conversations. … I’m glad I can be in the same shoes to someone that’s done it, just like me, in my same event.”
Valmon competed in the 4×400 meter relay race and won gold medals at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. He still owns the world record set at the 1993 World Championships for the relay race.
Quincy Wilson became the youngest track-and-field male Olympian in U.S. history
At just 16 years old, Wilson was selected to represent Team USA at the Paris Olympics in the men’s 4×400 meter relay race. He made history as the youngest track-and-field male Olympian in U.S. history during the competition.
Wilson won several accolades outside of the Olympics. He was named All-Met Athlete of the Year four times in a row and won six New Balance track national championships with his high school, and currently holds the under-18 world record in the 400-meter race. In 2024, Wilson was named the USATF Youth Athlete of the Year.
“To my family, friends, coaches, teammates, teachers and mentors, thank you for always being in my corner, supporting me, believing in me and pushing me to be my best,” he said before committing to Maryland, per WTOP.
Wilson is also the first Olympian to join the track-and-field program. Several athletes have gone on to participate in the competition after joining the university.
“I started my legacy in 2024 after the Summer Olympic Games, and I had the whole city behind me,” he said, according to The Washington Post. “With 2028 coming, I want to have the whole city behind me, and I’m ready to do it for the University of Maryland.”