WALNUT, Calif. — Mt. San Antonio College, a venue synonymous with world-class track and field excellence for over six decades, is poised to return to the national stage. USA Track & Field (USATF) has requested that the college host the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials for the men’s and women’s 10,000-meter runs, as well as the decathlon and heptathlon.
The high-stakes events are slated for May 20-21, 2028, at the newly renovated Hilmer Lodge Stadium. While a formal contract has yet to be finalized, officials from both the college and the national governing body indicate that an agreement is imminent.
“They’ve requested we host four events and we’re determining if it’s practical for us,” said Jill Dolan, Mt. SAC’s director of public affairs. USATF spokesman Jay Holder confirmed the organization is working through the details, adding, “We are looking forward to sharing more information soon about this important event on the journey to LA 2028.”
The decision comes as a strategic adjustment to the 2028 Olympic schedule. USATF previously awarded the primary U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials to Eugene, Oregon, for mid-June. However, that schedule leaves only three weeks between the conclusion of the Trials and the start of the Olympic track competition—a significantly tighter window than in previous cycles. By moving the demanding 10,000-meter and multi-event competitions to May, USATF aims to provide athletes with essential recovery time before the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The move marks a significant turnaround in the relationship between Mt. SAC and USATF. In 2018, the national body controversially stripped the college of the 2020 Olympic Trials—which had been awarded just months prior—amidst legal challenges regarding the stadium’s construction. The subsequent, successful completion of the state-of-the-art Hilmer Lodge Stadium and its rich history of producing 21 world records have seemingly paved the way for this reconciliation.
If confirmed, the event will feature some of the sport’s biggest stars. Expected contenders include 10,000-meter Olympic medalist Grant Fisher and rising star Nico Young. On the multi-event side, world-class athletes like Anna Hall, Taliyah Brooks, and Kyle Garland are anticipated to headline the heptathlon and decathlon.
Hilmer Lodge Stadium has long served as a launching pad for Olympic glory. In the lead-up to the 1984 Los Angeles Games, athletes competing at the Mt. SAC Relays went on to secure 35 Olympic medals. For the track and field community, the return of the Trials to Walnut signals a revitalization of the region’s deep historical ties to the sport.
As the countdown to 2028 continues, Southern California is set to become the epicenter of the track world, with LA28 organizers also planning a significant test meet at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in early summer 2028.
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