EUGENE, Ore. — When you think about athletics that define the University of Colorado and the city of Boulder, distance running probably comes to mind. Skiing as well. Sprinting? Not so much.
And you probably haven’t heard of Joe Morris, but he’s plastered all over CU’s track and field record books. Sixty-meter dash indoors? His in 6.57 seconds — and he owns the next five fastest times. He’s the No. 2 performer at the 200 indoors and outdoors, and No. 3 in the 100 outdoors.
And on Sunday, that success continued. He raced in the 100 semifinals at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene at historic Hayward Field, finishing fifth in his heat in 10.19 seconds, good for 19th overall. He did not advance to the final — which Justin Gatlin won in a world-leading time of 9.8 seconds — but the result was an improvement over what he did here four years ago in the trials.
“I feel satisfied, it was cool,” Morris said. “I was kinda coming here hoping to make any kind of race happen. I was happy’s with (Saturday’s) time and how I executed today.”
Morris was home-schooled but raced for Golden High School and the Colorado Flyers athletic club before attending CU. Two years ago, he because a group he trained with that included former CU sprinter Jeremy Dodson dissolved. That, and the cold winter weather in Colorado leaves sprinters more susceptible to injuries.
He joined the Ultimate Speed Athletics group, which includes 27-year-old American sprinter Ryan Bailey, who finished third at the trials in 2012 in the 100 and was fifth overall in London in the event. The two met each other during some other races, became good friends, and Bailey invited him to come to Portland to train. He’s set personal bests in all of his races since arriving.
“He’s got a lot of experience racing on the pro circuit,” Morris said. “Obviously he’s fast when he’s healthy. He’s pushing me. He’s gotten me this far, so I’m happy with it.”
He’s slowly learning the ins and outs of racing at a professional level. That will continue when Morris heads to Europe after this. He’s already raced there this year, running 10.15 during a 100-meter race in Bottrop, Germany, on May 29.
“You need to get some people to train with, and we all know Colorado’s not a sprinting state,” Morris said. “I still rep Colorado 100 percent. … I’m just feeling blessed to still come out here and run. I feel healthy and all.”
Morris , in the most unheralded of ways. He had failed to even qualify for the NCAA championships his junior year, then went out on his own after the season, entered an all-comer’s meet in Littleton and snagged two trials qualifiers in the 100 and 200. That year, he stumbled out of the blocks in the 100 and finished in 10.63 seconds, 30th overall. He didn’t make it out of the first round.
“It’s starting to come together this year,” said Morris, who doesn’t have a shoe contract. “A little tired today, but it was a good run.”
I had a great time competing over the weekend at the 2016 Olympic Trials! Thanks to everyone that cheered me!! 🙌🙌🏃
— Joe Morris (@Joe_Morris_)
