Sports
FSU’s Micahi Danzy focuses on running fast time in NCAA championship
WATCH: Here’s what FSU’s Micahi Danzy said about competing in nationals FSU’s Micahi Danzy will be traveling to his first NCAA track and field championship in Eugene. Here’s how he’s preparing for the nationals. Micahi Danzy is the nation’s top-ranked sprinter in the 400 meters How Micahi Danzy’s comeptitiveness and work ethic elevated him Michai […]
WATCH: Here’s what FSU’s Micahi Danzy said about competing in nationals
FSU’s Micahi Danzy will be traveling to his first NCAA track and field championship in Eugene. Here’s how he’s preparing for the nationals.
- Micahi Danzy is the nation’s top-ranked sprinter in the 400 meters
- How Micahi Danzy’s comeptitiveness and work ethic elevated him
- Michai Danzy launches his first speed camp this summer.
This is not Micahi Danzy’s first trip to Eugene. The last time he was at Hayward Field was not too long ago. He was 17 years old, competing in the Junior Olympics.
Danzy now returns to Oregon, representing Florida State in the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which is set for June 11.
Danzy is one of the 19 Seminoles who qualified for nationals. As a true freshman, Danzy shattered numerous records from FSU to ACC to a global scale.
The Tallahassee native will be entering the four-day event as the No. 1 ranked sprinter in the 400 meters with the fastest time of 44.38, which he recorded in the ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championship on May 15. It is ranked No. 22 fastest time in collegiate sport history, No. 7 U20 all-time and No. 9 in the world this year.
“First, I want to thank God, but I’m not really surprised because Coach (Ricky) Argo told me he had seen me running for 44.4. So I just believe this training. I’m here right now,” Danzy said.
With his resume and accomplishments as a freshman, Danzy is a favorite to be in the top three in the 400m and 4x400m.
FSU battled injuries from the men’s 4×400 relay team that set the team back this season. For Danzy, he is motivated to not only achieve gold in the relay but also to dedicate it to his fallen teammates. Why? Just to simply put a smile on their faces.
“I feel like running for them, and them seeing me run a fast time, it means a lot to see a smile on their faces, knowing they’re going through a hard time with the injuries,” Danzy said.
“Them smiling about my time and knowing I’m doing my thing for them. So it’s like that’s inspiring me to run even faster for them.”
‘He’s a special kid’: How being a dual-sport athlete brings competitiveness out of Micahi Danzy
Danzy is determined to be a dual-sport athlete, which is not uncommon in FSU athletics history.
He joined the track and field team immediately after completing the football season. It didn’t take too long for Matt Kane, FSU’s director of track and field and men’s sprinting coach Ricky Argo to take notice of the former Florida High’s state champion and how quickly he was able to make the transition.
“He’s a special kid. He was a guy who came out and hopped into a meet in just a few weeks of training and you can see the flare, the flash of brilliance,” Kane said.
“You can run really fast sometimes, but you can’t always back it up through training. That’s kind of a thing you have to know as a coach and as an athlete. He was definitely outperforming his training level.”
Argo, who is in his 10th season coaching the Seminoles, has been working closely with Danzy and has seen the improvements in his posture. He is excited about what’s to come for Danzy as he continues to manage two sports.
“He’s in a really good position to do something special with him being a freshman and a dual-sport athlete,” Argo said.
“I think he can show that you can be a multi-sport athlete in college. You don’t have to just stick to one thing.”
Argo believes what stands out about Danzy is his competitive spirit and the work ethic that matches it. Danzy would admit that competing against other fast runners can be nerve-wracking, but as Argo sees the progression he has made in every meet, he is beginning to be the focal point of FSU’s track and field.
“He’s one of the most competitive young men I’ve ever been around as a coach,” Argo said.
“He’s the type of guy who’s going to run as fast as anybody around him. On the level we’re looking to take the program to, he’s going to be the pillar of the program for years to come.”
Danzy played running back last season for the Seminoles, where he appeared in four games. He switched to wide receiver earlier in the spring. He will be a redshirt freshman in the 2025 season.
Kane believes that Danzy can excel in football like he is doing in track, putting him in the same conversation as the former Seminoles who are dual-athletes, such as Deion Sanders, Charlie Ward, and Jameis Winston.
“I think if he has the same work ethic on the football field like he has on the track, I think he’s going to work his way onto the field,” Kane said.
“Obviously, that’s way out of my depth, but he is a tremendous, talented guy, if you are in the same conversation as Deion, Charlie Ward or Jameis Winston, you’re doing something right, or even close to those guys, you’re doing the right things.”
Micahi Danzy to host his first speed camp
Danzy has been a Tallahassee kid all the way through and is all about giving back to the city that made him who he is. That is why he is launching his first speed camp on July 19 at Florida High School. This one-day camp is free for children aged 8 to 18 years old.
Danzy was interested in starting his speed after his mother, Brandi, approached him with the idea. It was a way for the Florida High grad to show his gratitude and develop more talents in his hometown.
“My mom definitely brought it to me,” Danzy said.
“My mom is an outgoing person. I ain’t really know a lot about speed camps. She told me about it. I was like, that’s cool. So, it’s an appreciation to Tallahassee, because I grew up here. So I want to show creation, appreciation mentality and help the kids out.”
Danzy wants to teach the Tallahassee youths the proper way to sprint, emphasizing posture and technique. He also wants to remind the local children of the importance of putting in the time and effort while walking a straight path if they want to reach their goals.
The process was definitely rough growing up,” Danzy said.
“You just gotta keep your head down. Don’t listen or watch what other people are doing. Just stay on track, and God will take you wherever you need to be.”
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.