Harvard graduate Thomas mastering science of speed

Ivy Leaguer takes US trials by storm with third-fastest 200m time ever

Gabby Thomas could be sprinting toward a title that she never imagined: World's Fastest Epidemiologist.

World's Fastest Woman is a possibility too.

The newly crowned American 200-meter champion, who majored in neurobiology at Harvard, is currently working on a master's degree in epidemiology/healthcare management at Texas.

First, though, the Tokyo Olympics. At the US track and field trials Saturday night, Thomas finished the 200m in 21.61 seconds.

It doesn't take an Ivy League education to recognize that's fast. Her time broke not only the meet record held by her idol, Allyson Felix, but also made her the second-fastest woman ever in the event, trailing only two times posted by the late Florence Griffith Joyner.

All of which is coming as a blur to Thomas.

"I blacked out during that race," the 24-year-old said with a laugh. "I knew beforehand I wanted to focus on accelerating through the first 100 and keep the momentum－come off the turn feeling really good."

She followed that plan to perfection.

It's hard to blame her for not seeing this coming. The former NCAA indoor champion had a health scare just before the trials and wondered if she would even run at all. She was dealing with a hamstring injury and had it checked out. Doctors ordered an MRI on her lower back, where they discovered what turned out to be a benign tumor in her liver.

"At first I wasn't too worried about it, but the more I kept talking to doctors they kept saying cancer," Thomas recounted. "Fortunately, they found out it was benign just a couple of days before I left. I remember telling God that if I am healthy, I am winning trials."

Now, her road to a possible gold medal could also be combined with a quest for a record that has long been out of reach. Flo-Jo's world record is 21.34. She also ran 21.56 on her way to gold 33 years ago, at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

"I am still in shock. I can't believe I put up that time," Thomas said. "Definitely has changed how I view myself as a runner."

About chasing one of the most iconic records in the book: "I don't want to say no," Thomas said. "I don't want to put a limit on myself. I'm not going to say that it's unattainable."

For fueling her track passion, she can thank Felix, the five-time Olympian who was a lane over from her in the 200 final (Felix finished fifth).

Thomas is from Florence, Massachusetts. Once, when she was at her grandmother's home, her mother suggested she put the Olympic trials on TV to watch Felix run.

"She saw someone who reminded her of me," Thomas said. "That's the person who has been in the back of my head for so many years."