The Sprint to Success

Cordell Tinch, age 22, knows about life’s hurdles.

He was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, when his mom, Elizabeth Simmons, was just 16.

According to his mom, they lived in a shelter because they were homeless.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Cordell sold cellphones and operated machinery that made toilet paper – any job that would pay the bills – mainly food and clothes for himself and his mom.

Then Cordell decided to return to school, focusing on track and field – even though he hadn’t cleared a track hurdle in two years.

Later, following graduation from Pittsburgh State University in Pittsburgh, Kansas, he finished in the top five in the country in the 110 Meter Hurdles.

On June 28, 2024, Cordell finished 4th in the finals in Eugene, Oregon, at the U.S. Olympic Trials, running a 13.03 – a season best for him – but, unfortunately, missing the cut for the 2024 Paris Olympics by .07 of a second.

Only the top three runners could qualify. He placed a close fourth.

Placing 1st was Grant Holloway with a world leading time of 12.86.

In track, as well in life, Cordell is undeterred.

He plans to continue clearing hurdles – both for his mom and as an example for others.

Watch the video segment below about Cordell Tinch and his mom, by Journalist Sam Brock for NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, which aired June 25, 2024.