Aptos native Nikki Hiltz captured their third consecutive USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships title after winning the 1,500-meters in 4 minutes, 03.15 seconds at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. on Aug. 2.
The 30-year-old former Aptos High standout edged Sinclair Johnson (4:03.77) and Emily Mackay (4:04.38) to win her sixth straight U.S. title, including three indoor championships.
Hiltz said in a post-race interview on the NBC Olympics Instagram account that they do a trick where a countdown from 30 begins in their head with 200 meters remaining in the race.
“Sinclair makes a move, I just kind of go with her. And then I was like, ‘Alright, just empty the tank the last 100’ and here I go,” said Hiltz as they watched the replay on a phone during the interview. “I think I didn’t know how close or far anyone was, so I’m just pushing, pushing, pushing. I opened a gap, I won.”
Hiltz, who identifies as trans non-binary and a huge advocate in the LGBTQ+ community, shared on their Instagram account Wednesday that they had top surgery shortly after getting home from the Paris Summer Olympics in 2024. They placed seventh in the 1,500 in 3:56.38.
They said the top surgery, also known as gender affirming chest surgery that removes breast tissue and reshapes the chest for a more masculine appearance, was a kept secret for the past 11 months.
But, Hiltz felt it was time to spread the news with the rest of the world.
“I’m not sharing this for validation or opinions—good or bad—because honestly I don’t care,” said Hiltz in their post. “I love my new chest and that’s all that matters. I mostly just wanted to share to help normalize something that so often gets policed and vilified when it comes to transgender people deciding what to do with their own bodies.”
Hiltz, who holds the American record of 4:16.35 in the mile, has won eight consecutive U.S. combined titles, including victories in the 1,500 and 3,000 at the USATF Indoor Championships in February.
Adams wins twice at Junior Olympics
Watsonville junior Clara Adams brought home a pair of titles in the 18-under age class at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympic Nationals at Humble High School in Houston on Aug. 2.
The newly transferred Wildcatz athlete won the 200- and 400-meter races in 23.71 and 52.58 seconds, respectively.
Adams, who runs for the Central Coast Cheetahs in Salinas, closes the summer ranked No. 1 in the USA Track and Field 18-under division in the 200 (23.42) and 400 (52.58).
The 16-year-old star sprinter is also ranked No. 6 in the world in the 400, according to the World Athletics website.
Wait… shes trans but still races with the women??? 🧐
Shouldn’t she race with men if she wants to identify as one?? So she admits she’s not a man? The logic is mind blowing