Contributed By Scott Lipscomb

Black Girl Magic. Meet Gabby Thomas, the Harvard alum who majored in neurobiology, is currently working in a master’s degree in epidemiology/health care management at Texas. S

The newly crowned American 200m champion, finished with a blazing fast 21.61 seconds.

She not only beat the meet record set by her idol, Allyson Felix, but also made her the second-fastest woman ever in the event, trailing only two times posted by the late Florence Griffith Joyner aka FloJo.

“I blacked out during that race,” the 24-year-old said with a laugh. “I know beforehand I wanted to focus on accelerating through the first 100 and keep the momentum — come off the turn feeling really good.” reported NBC Sports.

The former NCAA indoor champion had a health scare just before the trials and wondered if she would even run at all. She was dealing with a hamstring injury and had it checked out. Doctors ordered an MRI on her lower back, where they discovered what turned out to be a benign tumor in her liver.

“At first I wasn’t too worried about it, but the more I kept talking to doctors they kept saying cancer,” Thomas recounted. “Fortunately, they found out it was benign just a couple of days before I left. I remember telling God that if I am healthy, I am winning trials.”

Now, her road to a possible gold medal could also be combined with a quest for a record that has long been out of reach. Flo-Jo’s world record is 21.34. She also ran 21.56 on her way to gold 33 years ago, at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

“I am still in shock. I can’t believe I put up that time,” Thomas said. “Definitely has changed how I view myself as a runner.”

About chasing one of the most iconic records in the book: “I don’t want to say no,” Thomas said. “I don’t want to put a limit on myself. I’m not going to say it’s unattainable.”

For fueling her track passion, she can thank Felix, the five-time Olympian who was a lane over from her in the 200m final. (Felix finished fifth.)