SAINT-DENIS, France — High school phenom Quincy Wilson wasn't at his best in his highly-anticipated Olympics debut.

The U.S. men’s 4x400 relay team featuring Wilson, Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon and Christopher Bailey needed a blistering 44.05 from Bailey on the anchor leg to finish third in the first round of the relay.

Wilson was sluggish as he raced around the track on the first leg. The 16-year-old runner, and youngest U.S. male track and field Olympian ever, ran a 47.30 split to start the race. The U.S. team was in seventh place when Wilson handed the baton off to Norwood. Norwood ran a 43.60 split to get the team in sixth place. Norwood then handed the baton off to Deadmon, who posted a 44.20 running the third led as he got the U.S. team in fourth. When Bailey got the baton he needed to place at least third to qualify for the final. He was in fourth during the final 100 meters, but his final surge propelled Team USA to the third and final qualifying spot at 2:59.15.

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"I know I wasn't 100% myself, but my team came out here and did it for me," Wilson said after the relay. "They got me around the track today. My grit and determination got me around the track. I knew I had a great three legs behind me and I know it wasn't just myself today. If it was just myself, we would be in last place. But these guys came out there and gave it their all. From first, all the way to fourth leg, they ran their hearts out."

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Wilson declined to answer why he wasn't 100% himself. His 47.30 split is almost three full seconds off the under-18 world record (44.59) that he set at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. But Norwood, Deadmon and Bailey rallied to secure the third and final qualifying spot.

"I was in the moment watching a 16-year-old running in the Olympics, making history, so I was very proud of him," Norwood said. "And I'm looking at him and I'm like 'Oh, snap back in and let me get the stick and get it going.' But I'm super proud to come out here and show his grit for the United States and put us in a good position to go for the gold tomorrow."

Botswana won the heat, clocking a season-best 2:57.76 and Great Britain finished second with a time of 2:58.88.

Botswana, Great Britain and the U.S. have the top three qualifying times entering Saturday's final.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.