PHOENIX — Some of Olympian Freddie Crittenden's biggest fans created the loudest cheering section for the track star at Emerson Elementary School Thursday.
Dozens of students at the Phoenix elementary school cheered on Crittenden, who's been working with the kids through an afterschool program called G Road for three years, as he ran in the Paris 2024 Olympics Men's 110m Hurdles Final.
From cheers of "Let's Go Freddie", to handmade signs and "We Will Rock You" chants the kids kept going before, during and after the seconds-long race.
Ultimately, Crittenden finished 6th in the world, running a 13.32 race.
Crittenden is still a champion for the students though.
"I was hoping he would win. He didn't win, but that's still okay," fifth-grader Jalyse Woods said.
Emerson's Principal, Nicholas Lodato said Crittenden has been a staple of the afterschool program since the school first partnered with G Road.
"He's just such a positive personality. Doesn't matter what's going on, he has time for kids," Lodato said. "And it doesn't matter what's going on, he's going to smile through it and say, let's figure it out. And I think that's both a G Road mantra and a Freddie mantra."
In June, he made Team USA with a personal best, running the race in 12.92 seconds. He told NBC Olympics the trials in Eugene, Oregon, were his third Olympic Trials. In the previous two Olympic Trials, he was hurt.
"I think kids then have goals that say, 'You know what? Maybe I can do that thing.' And I think that's probably the most powerful thing about it, is Freddie is showing our kids you can do it, but you got to keep going," Lodato said.
"G Road loves you," student Noah Acosta said. "The whole school loves you."
The message from students came from the message Crittenden has instilled in them.
"Never give up," Woods said.
Crittenden became a new father days before leaving for Paris.
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