*Above - Trey Cunningham Narrowly Finishes Fourth At The 2025 USATF Championships
Photo by Emilee Chinn | Getty Images
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This weekend, Trey Cunningham (Winfield 17') finished in a disappointing fourth at the US Track and Field Championships, effectively missing the World Team for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. He has one more shot at qualification, and that path runs through the Wanda Diamond League.
But first - let's understand who Trey Cunningham is.
Related Link: 2025 Wanda Diamond League Standings
Related Link: Cordell Tinch and Trey Cunningham Confirmed For Lausanne
Not So Humble Beginnings
Trey Cunningham graduated from Winfield City High School in Alabama in 2017.
At Winfield, he was a standout. He collected Alabama State Outdoor Titles in the 110m Hurdles in his freshman, sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He also added two 300mH titles and the state long jump title in 2016. Those tallies don't include the numerous state titles he earned on the indoor circuit or the 60mH National Record he posted in 2017.
Still today, Cunningham is widely considered one of the best track and field athletes to ever compete in Alabama.
He then went on to compete at Florida State University - and his prowess quickly translated.
As a freshman, he won the ACC 60mH title and finished sixth at the 2018 NCAA Indoor Championships. On the outdoor straight, he finished fourth in the 110mH at NCAA's.
In the following years, he would earn six more ACC Titles and two NCAA Titles. He went pro following the 2022 season.
Following his successful collegiate season in 2022, Cunningham earned silver at the 2022 World Championships behind Grant Holloway.
A Stellar 2025 Season Has One Hiccup
Cunningham's 2025 campaign has been strong, but he stumbled when it mattered most.
He has collected wins at some of the season's biggest meetings. He won the 110mH at the Miami Grand Slam, the Paris Diamond League meeting, and the Monaco Diamond League meeting. He has a season best of 13.00 (+1.4) from Miami.
But, at the 2025 USATF Championship - Cunningham finished fourth. Team USA sends the top three in each event (assuming they've hit the World Standard), and Grant Holloway is also qualified by virtue of the World Championship Wild Card Bye, which goes to the winners of the 2023 World Championship.
As it stands, the Team USA roster is Grant Holloway (Bye), Ja'Kobe Tharp (US Champion), Cordell Tinch (US Silver), and Dylan Beard (US Bronze).
But there is opportunity if one of the runners ahead of Cunningham scratches. If Holloway scratches, Cunningham would need to earn his bid through the Diamond League.
That Avenue Runs Through The Diamond League
To qualify for the 2025 World Championship, Cunningham would need to win the Wanda Diamond League final in Zurich.
Winners of the 2025 Diamond League Championship, automatically earn a wild card qualifier for the World Championship meet. However, national teams can only use a wild card once per event. Since Team USA is already using the Championship Wild Card for Grant Holloway, Trey's odds are bleak.
With his two wins in Paris and Monaco, Cunningham has set himself up nicely for the Diamond League final. As things currently stand - he is fourth in the Diamond League standings. One more strong Diamond League performance would guarantee his lane in the final.
Lausanne is the final Diamond League Meeting that includes the 110mH and Trey Cunningham is confirmed for that race.
If he can perform well in Lausanne, and then win the Diamond League Final in Zurich, Cunningham could keep himself in the running for a lane in the 110mH at the 2025 World Championship.
What Is The Wanda Diamond League?
The Diamond League is a high-octane, world-class professional track and field series, featuring the top track & field athletes in the world. Think of it as the NBA of track & field, but with fewer dunks and more world records. It started in 2010 and has grown to become one the most exciting and prestigious series in track & field.
The Diamond League features 15 meets with the world's best competing across the globe in places like China, Doha, London, Monaco, Paris, and Eugene, Oregon. It's high stakes, with the athletes chasing points that could give them a shot at the coveted Diamond Trophy at the end of the season.
You can learn more about the Wanda Diamond League HERE.
