Donaldson Strikes Gold At World U20 Championships


Princeton University's Xavier Donaldson, who starred at Seton Hall Prep, struck gold at the World U20 Championships on Saturday at the Estadio Atlético de la Videna in Lima, Peru.

Donaldson a sophomore at Princeton, split 45.92 on the second leg of Team USA's winning 4x400-meter relay that ran 3:03.56. He was joined by Jayden Davis, who led off in 45.92, Alexander Rhodes (46.00) and Sidi Njie, who anchored with a 45.72 carry. South Africa was second in 3:05.53 and Australia finished third in 3:06.53. 

The gold medal caps a sensational track and field season for Donaldson, who the Outdoor Ivy Heps championship in the 400 and qualified for the U20 Championships when he ran a PR of 46.23 to finish 5th at the U.S. U20 National Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon in June.  

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Donaldson wasn't the only Princeton athlete to shine at the U20 Championships.

Princeton University's Zach Della Rocca, who starred at Princeton High, and Jackson Clarke both competed in the men's 200. Della Rocca, who was representing Team Australia, finished sixth in the final of the 200 in 21.22. Della Rocca, the Ivy League Record Holder in the 60 meter dash, ran 21.03 in the first round and 21.23 in the semifinals to advance to the finals. 

Clarke, running for Team Guyana,  won his first round heat in 21.37, and ran 21.88 to place seventh in his semifinal heat as he failed to advanced to the final.   

Premier Wynn, a sophomore at Norfolk State who starred at NJ's Pennsauken High, ran 51.89 to place second in his opening round heat to advance to the semifinals of the 400 hurdles. In the semis, Wynn ran 52.76 to finish sixth in his heat, coming up short in his attempt to make the final.  

Wynn, a 2023 grad of Pennsauken, qualified by placing second with a PR of 50.58 at the U.S. U20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon  in June.