When it comes to accomplishing dreams, Pass Christian native Cory McGee continues to do it.
On Sunday, McGee placed fifth in the 1500-meter Olympic trials, which wasn’t good enough to land the 32-year-old in her second summer games. However, her performance in Eugene, Ore., was good enough to beat a personal best with a 3:57.44 time – the first time McGee has ever finished under the four-minute mark.
“As many people know, breaking a four-minute time has been a goal of mine for quite some time, and I did that today,” McGee said afterward. She placed behind Sinclaire Johnson (3:56.75/U.S.), Elle St. Pierre (3:55.99/U.S.), Emily Mackay (3:55.90/U.S.), and Nikki Hiltz (3:55.33/U.S.) as the top three secured their spots in Paris.
“For me to lose to [three] United States runners at 3.55, the point is to send the strongest team,” McGee continued.
While Sunday’s race could be McGee’s final as a professional, the University of Florida alum has a lot to be proud of. She has one gold medal to her name after representing the U.S. at the 2011 Pan American Junior Athletic Championships. In 2021, she finished second at trials to advance to the Tokyo Games. Even though she was tripped during the international run, McGee placed 12th with a time of 4:05.50 as Team USA went on to win the most gold medals out of any country.
Going back to her prep years on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, McGee was the best distance runner the region had ever seen. As a teen, she earned 26 medals – 22 gold, one silver, and three bronze – in track and field and cross-country events across the U.S. Breaking state records in the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m, McGee left as arguably the best athlete in Pass Christian High School’s history.
“I believe growing up in Pass Christian is why I can do this,” McGee said. “Being able to represent Team USA, especially all that we have been through, [was] simply awesome.”
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