Michael Norman at US Trials
Michael Norman at US Trials

The penultimate day of the USA Track and Field Championships (US Trials) saw quite a few records, world leads and college stars step up to the task at hand in the senior ranks.

Aside from the new world record of 51.41 from Sydney McLaughlin in the 400m hurdles, several other athletes shone brightly.
In the other women’s 100m hurdles final, Kendra Harrison, the world record holder, ran the fastest time of the season, 12.34, repeating as US Champion. She defended her title by narrowly beating young athletes Alaysha Johnson who ran 12.35, and the NCAA champion from LSU, Alia Armstrong, who ran 12.47 for third.

The mark was Harrison’s fastest time since 2017, a year after her 2016 World Record of 12.20.

“You know, I really just tried to focus on my lane and clear the hurdles as fast as possible,” said Harrison.

“I’m grateful to be back and get the win”.

Although reigning World champion, Nia Ali, did qualify for this final, she decided to lean on her bye for the race and give the USA 4 qualifiers for Eugene.

Michael Norman also validated his Prefontaine performance and looked like the clear favourite in the world for the Men’s 400m. He set another world lead of 43.56 and a new facility record, lowering his 43.61 from May.

He stormed down the backstretch and, on the final curve, had some company in collegians Champion Allison, who ran a new PB and 43.70, and the NCAA Champion Randolph Ross, who held on for 3rd in 44.17 to qualify for his second consecutive US team.

“When the gun went off, you could just feel everybody elevating their performance,” said Norman.

In the Women’s 400m, this part of Allyson Felix’s Swan Song produced a sixth-place finish in 51.24. Young NCAA Champion out of Florida, Talitha Diggs, won in 50.22, and Kendall Ellis and Lynda Irby rounded out the individual team in 50.35 and 50.67, respectively.

Of course, Felix will still be selected for relay duty in the 4x400m.

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