Just seven months ago, the hurdler with the fastest time in the world this season wasn’t even hurdling at all. Cordell Tinch was selling the latest versions of cell phones and watches at a store in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The 22-year-old was just waiting to unlock the newest version of himself after a three-year hiatus and a training schedule that included nothing more than an occasional pickup basketball game.
A sales pitch by friends lured him back to the track. They convinced him to join them at Pittsburg State in southeast Kansas.
In no time—he started in January—Tinch rebooted his career. He won the 110-meter hurdles, long jump and high jump at the NCAA Division II championships in May….