Garrett Kaalund enjoyed a stunning run in the 200 meters on Saturday, clocking 20.06 seconds. The run helped him take the World Lead for the 2026 season, and he also became the third-fastest athlete of all time in the 200 meters indoors.
Kaalund is regarded as one of the most talented young athletes in the United States and represents the University of Southern California. The 22-year-old has already won many regional and national titles over his fledgling career.
Who is USC Sprinter Garrett Kaalund?
Born in Georgia, Kaalund moved to Texas at a young age and attended school there. He began his college career at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln before transferring to USC in 2025.
Now a senior and in remarkable form as he prepares to embark on a professional career, Kaalund delivered a standout performance at the 2026 Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships, recording a time of 20.06 seconds in the 200 meters to win the gold medal.
This became the indoor World Lead for the 2026 season and also helped him become the third-fastest athlete in indoor 200-meter history. Frank Fredericks set the 200-meter indoor world record in 1996 with a time of 19.92 seconds.
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Kaalund has been enjoying a dominant senior year with USC and recently set the second-fastest time in NCAA history in the men’s 300m at 32.10 seconds.
During his junior year, Kaalund helped USC win the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships and finish in a tie for first at the Outdoor Championships. He has also earned multiple All-American honors throughout his college career.
Earlier this year, Kaalund delivered the second-fastest 300-meter performance in NCAA indoor history with a time of 32.10 seconds at the Spokane Sports Showcase.
His career best in the 100 meters is 9.93 seconds. In the 200 meters, Kaalund has recorded a career best time of 19.85 seconds.
Garrett Kaalund’s Other Accomplishments
While Kaalund has not yet been a regular part of Team USA rosters, he did help his nation win the silver medal in the 200 meters at the 2023 Pan American U-20 Championships in Mayagüez.
In addition, he is ranked 19th in the current world rankings for the 200 meters. Earlier in February, Kaalund also recorded a time of 20.12 seconds in the 200 meters, breaking the school record set by Andre De Grasse in 2015.
Kaalund has been delivering standout performances week in, week out for the USC Trojans. He will now have his sights set on another strong run at the NCAA Indoor Championships, scheduled for March 13 and 14.
