Just when you thought the track beef between Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley couldn’t get any spicier, Kerley stepped back on the scene—and made it crystal clear that he’s not here for the background noise. It all started when Kerley stirred the pot last week by saying Lyles was “not on my level.” A bold shot, considering Lyles is the reigning world and Olympic 100m champ. But Noah didn’t blink. He fired back online with the kind of mic-drop reply only he could deliver: “If someone thinks they’re better than me, that’s good for them.” Whew.
While the internet buzzed with hot takes and emojis, Kerley kept it quiet until he showed up at the Mt. SAC Relays. He wanted to show the world, especially Noah Lyles, his wins. In his first 400m race in over two years, he looked like he’d never left. Calm, focused, and all business, Kerley took the win in the elite section like it was light work, sending a message that didn’t need a caption. So, well, just recently on 19th April, Fred Kerley, once a 400-meter specialist, just couldn’t stay away from the event that helped launch his career.
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After two years away from the 400m, the Paris Olympic bronze medalist in the 100m made his return at the 65th Mt. SAC Relays, clocking an impressive 44.73 seconds to take the win in the men’s elite race. Despite the long break, Kerley looked as strong as ever, proving that his versatility on the track hasn’t skipped a beat. “You have to get uncomfortable to get comfortable again,” Kerley said after the race.
He further reflected on how tough it was to dive back into the 400m. But the challenge didn’t end with the event itself. Arizona State’s Jayden Davis was right on his heels the whole race, making Kerley push harder than he expected. For most of the race, Davis was leading, but Kerley’s signature finishing kick came through in the final stretch. With just 50 meters left, Kerley found another gear and surged past Davis to take the win, reminding everyone why he’s so tough to beat.
“Muscle memory is a b****,” Kerley joked, pointing out how his past 43-second 400m races are still fueling him. As Kerley eyes the 2025 season, he’s still focused on the 100m and 200m, but after this strong 400m showing, he’s open to running more of them in the future. And remember, this impressive performance came right on the heels of Noah Lyles’ controversial comment about him.
Fred Kerley pokes the bear, and Noah Lyles doesn’t back down
The rivalry between Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles and fellow American sprinter Fred Kerley has intensified following Kerley’s recent comments on The Pivot podcast, where he claimed Lyles was “not on my level” and questioned his mental toughness. Kerley emphasized his resilience, suggesting that Lyles lacked the same grit. In response, Lyles addressed these remarks on his Beyond the Records podcast, expressing surprise at Kerley’s statements and highlighting their differing life experiences.
Lyles noted that while he hadn’t faced the same challenges as Kerley, he had his own struggles, including severe asthma during childhood, stating, “Just as much as he never was staying up in the hospital every night with asthma, wondering if he’s going to be breathing the next morning.” Lyles also pointed out the shift in narrative since his 2023 World Championship win, observing that competitors now frequently mention him, even when he’s not present.
He remarked, “Now, every conversation is, ‘Yeah, I’m better than Noah. Yeah, I can beat Noah. I’m not even in the room! And yet, I’m living rent-free in people’s minds.” Despite the tension, Noah Lyles acknowledged Kerley’s achievements, including his 2022 World Championship title and impressive 9.76-second personal best in the 100m, recognizing the difficulty of such accomplishments.
The exchange has sparked discussions among track and field fans, many of whom side with Noah Lyles, citing his recent successes, including triple gold at the 2023 World Championships and the 100m gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics. While Kerley remains confident in his abilities, the ongoing rivalry adds an interesting narrative to the sport, with both athletes pushing each other to new heights.
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