SEC Prelims Drama: Jordan Anthony’s Comeback Stuns Jaden Wiley by 0.003 Seconds
The atmosphere at the University of Kentucky Stadium on May 15 was electric as the men’s 200m prelims unfolded in dramatic fashion. With a place in the SEC Championship final on the line, the pressure was sky-high. Rising talents and experienced runners alike lined up, but what happened next was pure athletic theater.
As the runners took their marks, all eyes were on Jaden Wiley—Florida’s freshman phenom—who had been building a reputation as a future pro. Just two lanes over stood Jordan Anthony of Arkansas, a sophomore known more for his quiet consistency than headline-grabbing wins. The gun fired, and Wiley jumped out smoothly, setting a steady early pace. Anthony, meanwhile, stumbled slightly out of the blocks. But within seconds, he found another gear.
Stride by stride, Anthony began eating up the track. By the final stretch, his surge was undeniable. With power and determination, he overtook Wiley in the final meters, crossing the line first. His time? A lifetime best of 20.10 seconds. A roar erupted. Anthony had not only clinched a spot in the final—he had announced himself as a serious threat.
<strong>Photo Finish Heartbreak for Wiley</strong>
While Anthony celebrated, Wiley was left stunned. He had run a personal best of 20.32 seconds—a time identical to Arkansas teammate Connor Washington, who also finished just behind Anthony. But the cruel precision of the clock told a different story. In a photo finish, it was revealed that Washington edged Wiley out by a mere 0.003 seconds, snatching the final qualifying spot.
2025 SEC Championships | M 200m prelims
Section 2 | wind 0.4
1) 20.10 Jordan Anthony [PR, No. 3 UA all-time]Previous PR 20.35 pic.twitter.com/GXOCQGheld
— RazorbackTF/XC (@RazorbackTF) May 15, 2025
The twist? Anthony and Washington both moved on to the final, giving the Razorbacks a double punch in the next round. Wiley, despite his best race yet, was eliminated.
<strong>The Best Time Belonged to Auburn’s Charamba</strong>
Despite Anthony’s heroic run, the fastest time of the day didn’t belong to him. Auburn senior Makanakaishe Charamba delivered a blistering 19.92 to top the entire field. Still, Anthony’s comeback story stole the spotlight—and reminded everyone why track is one of the most unpredictable sports.
<strong>Jaden Wiley: Far From Finished</strong>
Though the SEC dream ended in heartbreak, Wiley’s season is anything but over. The freshman from Duluth has already turned heads this spring. He set a 100m personal best of 10.13 in April, then dropped a 10.12 with wind assistance in early May. At the Tom Jones Invitational and Florida Relays, he consistently held his own against elite competition.
He also captured the 200m title at the Terry Long FSU Relays and remains the reigning U.S. U20 Champion in both the 100m and 200m. Wiley’s pedigree and progression show he’s not just another college standout—he’s a national-level contender.
<strong>The Takeaway</strong>
Track and field giveth, and track and field taketh away. On this day, it gave Jordan Anthony his defining moment and left Jaden Wiley just outside the frame of glory. But while Anthony claimed victory through sheer grit, Wiley proved that his star is still rising—and his story is far from over.