Former SU track star Freddie Crittenden is headed to the Paris Olympics on Team USA

SYRACUSE, NY — A former track star at Syracuse University is headed to the 2024 Paris Olympics on Team USA.

Freddie Crittenden, a 2017 graduate of SU, ran a personal best 12.93 in the men's 110 meter hurdles finals at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. The time was 0.13 seconds shy of the world record and second in the final, behind only three-time world champion Grant Holloway, who won the finals in 12.86 seconds.

Crittenden, now 29 years old, was a four-time All American at SU. He was also named to the All-ACC team four times from 2013-2017 and won ACC championships in both his junior and senior seasons in both the 60-meter indoor hurdles and 110-meter outdoor hurdles.

His story is even more remarkable due to the fact he was held out of both the 2016 and 2020 Summer Games due to injury- so the third time was the charm.

"It means the world to me, I just want to thank God," said Crittenden, adorned in red, white and blue, after the race. "I want to thank my support system, my wife, my family...Tim O'Neil, you're the best coach in the world, you're my best friend, I'm so proud of you and I'm so proud of us."

Crittenden is also expecting his first child with his wife in just a few weeks.

A Syracuse track and field athlete has now qualified in four-straight and seven of the last-nine Summer Olympic Games.

You can catch the 2024 Paris Olympics on NBC3 starting on Friday, July 26th.