Sydney McLaughlin wins the 400m hurdles (© Travis Miller)
World U18 champion Sydney McLaughlin reduced her own world U20 record* in the 400m hurdles when running 54.03 at the NJSIAA Group Championships in Egg Harbor on Friday (2).
The 17-year-old, who will still be an U20 athlete through to the end of 2018, took 0.12 off the previous record she set last year when securing her spot on the US Olympic team. It puts her third on this year’s world list behind Olympic bronze medallist Ashley Spencer and world silver medallist Shamier Little.
Shortly afterwards, McLaughlin returned to the track for the 400m flat, which she won in 51.88, just 0.01 shy of her lifetime best. Only two women in history – Vania Stambolova and Deon Hemmings – have produced a faster one-day 400m flat/hurdles double.
On the same track last week, McLaughlin clocked a 200m PB of 23.19 and a 400m hurdles victory of 55.52.
Jon Mulkeen for the IAAF
*Pending the usual ratification procedures
