McLaughlin eclipses record; A&M’s Kerley sprints to win
EUGENE, Ore. — Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin broke her own world record in the 400-meter hurdles at the U.S. outdoor track and field championships Saturday.
McLaughlin flashed a broad smile when her time was announced, then gave a thumbs-up. She crossed the finish line at Hayward Field in 51.41 seconds, breaking her own record of 51.46 set last year at the Tokyo Games, where she won the gold medal.
“I mean it’s Track Town USA, what do you expect?” she said afterward. “Every time I come here I can just feel something amazing is going to happen.”
The top-three finishers in each event at the national championships will represent the United States in the world outdoor championships, also at Eugene’s Hayward Field, next month.
Dalilah Muhammad sat out of the race because of a slight injury, but she has already qualified for the world championships as the defending champion in the event. McLaughlin will also be joined on the U.S. team by runner-up Britton Wilson and third-place finisher Shamier Little.
Allyson Felix, the most decorated woman in track history, finished sixth in the 400, in what was her final national championship race.
Despite her finish, Felix is expected to make the mixed-relay team.
NCAA champion Talitha Diggs won the 400 in 50.22 seconds.
Michael Norman ran the men’s 400 in a world-leading 43.56.
World-record-holder Keni Harrison won the women’s 100 hurdles in 12:34.
Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson made it through to the 200 final Sunday by taking second in her heat.
Kentucky’s Abby Steinerhad the best time in the heats at 22.14.
American record-holder Kara Winger won the javelin with a throw of 210 feet, 10 inches, her ninth career national title in the event. Sinclaire Johnson won the 1,500 in 4:03.29. Keturah Orji set a meet record in the triple jump at 48-6¼.
On the men’s side, Cooper Teare finished first in 3:45.86. Olympic silver medalist Chris Nilsen won the pole vault. Hillary Bor won the steeplechase, and Daniel Haugh took the title in the hammer.
On Friday night, Olympic silver medalist Fred Kerley flashed a peace sign at the crowd after winning the 100.
The former Texas A&M sprinter crossed the line in 9.77 seconds to earn a spot on the U.S. team.
“It’s all about patience and training, and doing what I’ve got to do,” Kerley said after taking selfies with fans.
Earlier in the evening, he ran the 100 semifinals in a world-leading and personal-best 9.76 seconds. It also was a meet record.
Texas alum Ryan Crouser, the world-record holder and two-time Olympic gold medalist, won the shot put at 75 feet, 10¼ inches.