ASU’s Amir Thompson secures indoor Big 12 title, All-America honors

TEMPE – Less than four months into his Tempe tenure, Arizona State’s newest sprinter, sophomore Amir Thompson, is already rewriting Sun Devil history. It’s proof that his move from Texas to Tempe was about more than a change of scenery: It was the start of something special.

Thompson’s early success was on full display to start the season as he set a new ASU track and field indoor record in February at the Corky Classic with a time of 32.29 in the 300-meter sprint. That momentum quickly turned into championship success as he captured the Big 12 indoor title in the 200-meter dash, setting another Arizona State record at 20.40 seconds in the 2026 Big 12 Indoor Track & Field Championship.

Thompson carried that performance to the national stage, qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships final and earning First-Team All-America honors, solidifying himself as one of the top sprinters in the country. 

The former high school All-American transferred to ASU from the University of Texas. He sees his breakout season as just the beginning, believing his best performances are still ahead as he continues to build toward the outdoor season and beyond.

“Everything I do is a step toward something bigger,” Thompson said. “The hard work in every practice, every rep, and staying consistent through the season all help me keep building toward my next goal.”

Thompson, who is from Pflugerville, Texas, comes from a track family. His father, Obadele Thompson, won an Olympic bronze medal for Barbados in the 100 meters, and his mother, Marion Jones, competed for Team USA, winning three gold and two bronze medals in the 2000 Sydney Olympics but was later stripped of them due to testing positive for performance enhancing steroids.  

Success on the track isn’t just genetics. Thompson’s impressive performances are the result of relentless training and focus. 

“Every offseason is rough, especially in the Arizona heat,” Thompson said. “A lot of difficult tempo and long runs have helped me build a strong base so I can run faster month after month, race after race.” 

Thompson credits part of his early season success to the competitive environment he shares with his teammates, who push him just as much as he pushes them. One of those teammates is sprinter James Bauman, who trains alongside Thompson day in and day out. 

“He’s a very vocal leader who pushes himself every day, and that pushes all of us to be better. Iron sharpens iron,” Bauman said.

Thompson’s leadership and approach haven’t gone unnoticed by those who train alongside him, especially within ASU’s sprinting group, including his 4×400 relay partner, Mateo Medina.

“He’s a dog,” Medina said. “Training with him every day pushes me to be better and pushes the entire team to compete at a higher level every practice, every rep.”

Coach Dion Miller has helped ease Thompson’s transition to Arizona State and has seen how his work ethic and focus have helped both him and the sprint group. Miller has watched Thompson adapt, lead, and perform at a high level, believing he represents the culture he is trying to instill in his team. 

“Every day, Amir shows why he’s a champion in the making,” Miller said. “He’s the first person to show up to practice and often the last to leave. That work ethic sets a tone for the whole team.”

Beyond the individual events, Thompson, who competes in the 4×100 and 4×400-meter relays, sees Arizona State making noise in the team competitions. He believes the talent and chemistry within the sprint group gives the team a chance to do something memorable. 

“We’ve got something special coming this season,” Thompson said. “When everybody’s head is in the right mindset, we can do something great – conference level, national level, all of it.” 

Thompson also has his sights set on the international stage, aiming to make a mark at both the national championships this summer and the 2028 Summer Olympics where hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps by representing Barbados. 

“Every rep and every race this season at ASU is building toward nationals and the Olympics,” Thompson said. “It would mean so much to follow in my dad’s footsteps and represent Barbados on the biggest stage in track and field.”

With the Big 12 indoor title and multiple record-breaking performances behind him, Thompson heads into the outdoor season with confidence, eager to see how far his hard work and talent can take him. ASU’s outdoor season begins on March 27 at the Willie Williams Invitational.

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