The Crown Is Up for Grabs
The fastest girl in AAU history won’t be on the line this year. That’s the headline heading into the 2025 AAU Junior Olympic Games, where the 17–18 Girls’ 100 m returns as one of the marquee events, but this time, without its reigning queen. Last summer, Olivia Pace blazed her way into the record books with a stunning 11.36 performance in Greensboro. It was the kind of race that made the stands erupt and the internet replay it on loop. Now, in her absence, the event takes on a new shape: wide open, unpredictable, and full of hungry sprinters ready to chase her ghost.
Olivia Pace’s 2024 Run Set the Standard
In 2024, Olivia Pace made the 100 look like her personal stage. Representing Ohio Heat, she clocked a legal-wind 11.36 seconds to set a new AAU national record in the 17-18 division. It wasn’t just fast, it was clean, powerful, and confident. Her start was electric, and her form never wavered. FloTrack and MileSplit both ranked it among the most iconic performances of the meet, and it gave Olivia a permanent place in AAU history.
Olivia’s Not Returning, So Who’s Next?
Pace won’t be returning to Houston this year, she’s graduated and now suits up for USC. That leaves the door wide open for a new name to step into the spotlight. With no clear frontrunner, the race becomes a true test of who can rise to the occasion. Youth athletes running in the low-to-mid 11.5s will come into the event with a shot, and those who have been sharp at Nike Outdoor Nationals or New Balance Champs will have the edge when it comes to pressure-tested execution.
Conditions Could Spark Another Breakthrough
Last year’s record wasn’t just about talent, it was about timing. Olivia ran in near-perfect conditions: legal wind, warm temperatures, and a fast surface. This year, the AAU Championships will be hosted in Houston at Humble High School, a track known for speed. If the wind holds legal and the temperature spikes just right, we could see another athlete capitalize on the moment and run themselves into the national spotlight.
The Record Is Reachable, but Not Easy
Olivia’s 11.36 isn’t untouchable, but it demands near-perfect execution. Anyone looking to beat it will need a reaction time under .13, a powerful drive phase, and the ability to maintain mechanics through the final 30 meters. One misstep and the record stays put. But if someone hits all the marks? We might witness another AAU moment that rewrites the all-time list.
Why This Is StillThe Race to Watch
Without a reigning champ, the 100 m becomes even more interesting. There’s no script. No expected winner. Just nine lanes, one record, and a whole lot of pressure. Whether someone breaks 11.36 or simply finds a way to win, this race is poised to be one of the most electric moments of the 2025 AAU Junior Olympic Games.
How To Watch AAU Junior Olympics Track 2025
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2025 AAU Junior Olympics
2025 AAU Junior Olympics Full Schedule
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