Sydney McLaughlin made history yet again. Since she was a high school star in the last Olympic Games cycle, McLaughlin has been one of the biggest names and faces in the sport of track and field Her mastery of the 400m hurdles as well as the 200m and 400m open events have wowed fans for the last four years. Her short stint at the University of Kentucky ended with her being an NCAA Champion and rewriting record books. The most unusual one-and-done the University of Kentucky has had in quite some time.
Now, at the Bryan Clay Invite this past weekend, she didn’t rewrite history, she wrote it down herself. With a strong performance in the 100m hurdles, an event she usually doesn’t run, she crossed the line in 12.92 seconds. She is now the first woman in history to run under 13.00 for the 100m hurdles, 23.00 for 200m, and 53.00 for 400m hurdles.
Sydney McLaughlin has become the first woman in history to break 13.00 for the 100m hurdles, 23.00 for 200m and 53.00 for the 400m hurdles. pic.twitter.com/TJj9P75kbM
— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) April 17, 2021
New wind legal 12.92 100mH PR for Sydney McLaughlin (@GoSydGo) in the Bryan Clay prelims. ?
?: https://t.co/sw9nzYxLdh pic.twitter.com/U24UF9QdSr— FloTrack (@FloTrack) April 16, 2021
The New Balance athlete ran two races on Saturday. The first was her sub-13.00 second performance and she followed that up with an appearance in the open 400m FORTY minutes later. This meet was a tuneup for the Olympian ahead of the U.S. Trials in June. She would not run in the final of either event.
However, her performance in the 400 was something to see. There is something about watching an effortless performance among athletes of this tier that is mesmerizing. There may be some very special performances ahead for fans to look forward to. Now watch as she glides to the easiest 51.16 you will ever see.
Just 41 MINUTES after her 100mH PR, Sydney McLaughin (@GoSydGo) comes back in what looks like one of the easiest 51.1 400s of all-time
?: https://t.co/kfhtZq9e3O pic.twitter.com/OVD6fsar56— FloTrack (@FloTrack) April 16, 2021
McLaughlin is the latest American sprinter to put down a solid, pre-Olympic Trials showcase. Sha’Carri Richardson ran the 6th fastest time ever by a woman in the 100m earlier this month. The two of them will be expected to perform big in their events. Anything short of a ticket to Tokyo is unacceptable and Team USA is better with both of them on the roster.
