Lake Oswego Standout Considered Multiple Routes At Upcoming USATF Championships Before Choosing Senior Meet And First Opportunity To Race Pros; Sophia Beckmon In Seniors Long Jump

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Oregon high school star Mia Brahe-Pedersen, who has run professional-level sprint times in the 11th grade for Lake Oswego High, will get her first opportunity to race the pros at the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships, July 6-9, at Hayward Field. 

Brahe-Pedersen, 17, confirmed Thursday that she chose to compete in the senior nationals, and withdraw from the U-20 event, because her goal is to try and earn a spot on the U.S. team that will compete at the NACAC U-23 Championships, scheduled for July 21-23 in Costa Rica. 

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Arriving at a decision of which events to enter was not easy. 

"There were a lot of decision changes," she said. "Originally, I was going to do the senior 100 (meters) and the U20 200. Then, I went and signed up for the U20s in both events to be with the girls in my (ability) range."

The USATF U20 Championships serves as a qualifier for the Pan Am U20 Championships, set for Aug. 4-6 in San Jose, Puerto Rico. 

Brahe-Pedersen learned on Monday that the NACAC (North America, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association) had changed its age requirements and she would be eligible for the meet in Costa Rica if she performs well enough at nationals. 

But only the senior meet, not the U20, serves to select the Costa Rica team. 

Additionally, Brahe-Pedersen and her family have had vacation plans for more than a year that would conflict with the early August Puerto Rico date. 

"My parents were willing to give (the trip) up so I could chase my dreams," she said of the decision-making process. "But when USATF released the information that by competing in the senior meet that I can do the U23 NACAC in Costa Rica, that changed everything."

Brahe-Pedersen has run personal-best times of 11.00 in the 100 meters and 22.43 in the 200. She won both events at Nike Outdoor Nationals two weeks ago. 

Last weekend, Brahe-Pedersen joined her Inner Circle Track Club teammates and ran a 4x100 relay at the USATF Junior Olympics Oregon meet in Springfield. Her team, which included Sophia Beckmon, ran 45.10 seconds. 

Beckmon, who recently graduated from Oregon City High, has also opted for the senior nationals and will compete in the long jump. 

Brahe-Pedersen admitted to some nerves about the prospect of testing her remarkable top-end speed against some of the fastest women in the world, including Sha'Carri Richarson and Aleia Hobbs. 

"I'm only 17 and going up against some of the greatest of all time," she said. "I want to pay respect where respect is due and take this opportunity to learn from (the pros). Ultimately, regardless of how I finish, learning some things is just as valuable as the results."

Brahe-Pedersen, who has one more year of high school, has previously stated that her goal is to compete at the 2024 Olympic Trials with an eye on making the U.S. team. 

Few athletes have accomplished more at Hayward Field than Brahe-Pedersen in 2023, from a viral chase down victory in the 4x200 relay at Oregon Relays in April, to the 11.00 clocking in the 100 at the Oregon state meet, to the No. 2 all-time 200 meters at Nike Outdoor Nationals. 

"I'm so grateful for everyone's support," she said. "Regardless of how I do at the senior championships, I'm still learning, and I hope that everyone can be excited for me to be there. I'm excited to feel their energy. If I can feel that energy from the crowd, who knows what can happen?"