Tullis Sets World Record at USATF Masters Championships in California

Indiana Results

The 2024 USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships concluded on Sunday (21-July) in Sacramento, CA. 1379 athletes from all fifty states participated in the championships held at American River College.

Seven (7) members of USATF Indiana competed in the four-day competition. Two athletes earned national titles with Indiana athletes earning a total of 10 visits to the awards podium for their top three finishes.

The storyline for the Indiana athletes was the two national titles won by Brian Tullis of Carmel in the men's 50-54 division as he set a world record in the 800m. In the 800m Tullis lined up against Mark Williams of New Jersey who earlier this year established the indoor 800m world record. In Sacramento, the two battled to the finish as both broke the 24-year-old world record of 1:58.65 held by Nolan Shaheed. Tullis' time was 1:58.07 with Williams just .37 second back. 

Earlier in the meet Tullis won the 400m running 52.95 defeating Williams by 1.11 second and finished second (to Williams) in the 1500m running 4:16.74.

IN THEIR WORDS - Brian tullis

This is all surreal for me because I wasn't even the best 800m runner at my high school. The meet was well-organized and a great experience. Mark Williams is a fierce competitor and we pushed each other to another level in this record setting 800m, where both of us broke the existing men's 50-54 800m world record. It was a great honor to be congratulated after the race by Nolan Shaheed, who had held the record for 24 years and was at the meet competing in the 75-79 age group. I am honored and excited to represent the United States at the World Championships in Sweden in August.

Ikechukwu Nnachi joined Tullis in winning a national title as he claimed the M35 Discus Throw with a mark of 38.40m (110-08). 

Grace Liang, the 2022 Indiana Athlete of the Year, earned three silver medals as she finished second in the women's 35-39 100m (12.52), 200m (26.75), and Long Jump (5.34m / 17-06¼).

Leandra Funk, the 2016 and 2023 Indiana Athlete of the Year, earned two visits to the awards podium as she finished second in the women's 65-69 400m (1:14.18) and third in the 200m (33.21). 

Karen Rieger finished second in the women's 60-64 Pole Vault clearing 1.80m (5-10¾).

The complete Indiana results scoreboard can be found here.