Replacing Fred Kerley Last Minute, Track and Field Star Opens Up About Career-Defining Moment at Grand Slam Track
Brandon Hicklin’s phone rang early on the morning of May 3, a call that would change the course of his career. “My agent called me Friday morning and said, You’re going to Grand Slam,” Hicklin recalled with a hint of surprise. “I’m like, ‘Alright, cool.’” What seemed like an ordinary conversation soon turned into an extraordinary opportunity. Just days before the high-stakes Grand Slam Track Meet in Miami, the American sprinter found himself stepping into Fred Kerley’s shoes. Following Kerley’s abrupt withdrawal, Hicklin emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the track world.

With Kerley out, Hicklin’s role as a late replacement left fans and analysts buzzing. It wasn’t just the timing that made the switch remarkable; it was the enormity of the moment. Only two days before the event, Kerley had been at the center of controversy, as he had to give up on the GST. The announcement that he would not compete sent shockwaves through the track and field world. Facing the daunting task of stepping into a spotlight that had been prepared for a star.

Brandon Hicklin reveals thoughts on the last-minute call to replace Fred Kerley and how it flipped his mindset heading into Miami. “It was a wonderful experience by far, probably the most fun I’ve had in years,” he said, reflecting on the whirlwind weekend. “And you know, transitioning from jumps to sprints is a challenging switch. But now that I’m actually sprinting, it’s actually pretty much fun.”

While the pressure of stepping in for a major headliner could have rattled some, Hicklin embraced it as fuel. Brandon Hicklin, who once made his name in the long jump, has found joy in the challenge of adjusting to the technical demands of elite sprinting, even though the transition hasn’t been easy. It wasn’t just about fun. It was about adapting.