Olympic Gold Medalist Gives Honest Take On Competing In Relays After Helping Save American Pride And Earning Shoutout From Noah Lyles

Phew, what a day 1 the Americans have had in Guangzhou! The World Relays prelims turned out to be a mixed bag for Team USA as there was a chaotic baton drop in the mixed 4x100m relay, but at least the women’s 4x100m squad came through strong, despite a fumble in the passing of the baton. And why wouldn’t they? Their anchor leg was handled by none other than the reigning Olympic 4x100m gold medalist.

With big names like Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas sitting out of the World Relays 2025, she stepped up and averted the hitch. She was so good, even Noah Lyles had to show up to give her a well-earned pat on the back! Any guesses who this relay queen is?

Well, we’re talking about Twanisha aka TeeTee Terry. In 42.86s, the women’s 4x100m relay team featuring Mikiah Brisco, Caisja Chandler, Kayla White, and Twanisha Terry topped their heat. But things could have gone seriously wrong for America if Terry hadn’t handled them. While the third to anchor leg passage, Kayla White had to literally hold Terry’s hand and put the baton in her clutch. While the two navigated their differing speeds and the tricky handoff, not once did Terry look back to see why the delay. She trusted her teammate, remained calm, and once the baton was locked in, she shot off. No wonder Noah Lyles came in to appreciate her skills. But post-race? Terry had a confession to make!

May 10, Twanisha Terry spoke to the Inside Lane and got asked, “What leg do you prefer?” That’s when Twanisha Terry confessed, “Second. I definitely prefer second leg.” However, she agreed her fourth leg skills are just immaculate. “I just feel like I just eat the back stretch up.  Like, there’s a different race pattern. Something else just come out of TT, you know, and I’m trying to translate that over to individual.” Well, we saw that in Guangzhou at the 2025 World Relays where she lived up to her Olympic champion shoes and saved the day for America!

However, Twanisha Terry is flexible. She says, put me in either of the two spots and she will perform brilliantly. “I don’t mind fourth leg, you know. High school, all I did was second leg. Then college, as a freshman, I got thrown on last leg and that’s all I did in college. And then I was able to dip and dive in both here on Team USA. So I would run wherever I’m needed, but I definitely love second leg.” Well, when she brought the women 4x100m relay gold home from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Twanisha had run the second leg, while Richardson anchored. So yes, she has proven her capabilities in both spots. 

Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 100m Round 1 – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 02, 2024. Twanisha Terry of United States reacts during the heats. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

 

But her World Relays 2025 marvel was a cut above. It could have easily been another relay disaster for Team America, but Terry’s expertise came into play. And here’s what Noah Lyles had to say about that.

Noah Lyles applauds Twanisha Terry for the World Relays save

Noah Lyles, the Paris 2024 100m Olympic champion, had a line or two to say about Twanisha Terry. Post race, Twanisha Terry reacted to her 4x100m relay win in Guangzhou saying, “One thing about it, I’ll always remain composed.” That’s when Noah Lyles chimed in, in agreement, “Your composer on that hand off was other worldly.” Well, we couldn’t agree more.

In fact, the two even had a little candid online banter, when Twanisha Terry on May 10, posted, “I’m not a fan of the mixed 4×100, I would much rather have a 4×200 or a Shuttle hurdle relay. Like let’s make it fun.” That’s when Noah Lyles responded with another wild suggestion. He wrote, “4×8, SMR, DMR” in reply to Twanisha’s comment. So Lyles’ applause for Terry isn’t just proof of her brilliance as an athlete, but the larger picture also tells us about the camaraderie both these American sprinters share. Don’t you think so too?

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