EUGENE, OR – No hurdles? No problem for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
McLaughlin-Levrone ditched the hurdles to run the open 400 this season – and so, far so good.
McLaughlin-Levrone ran around the track with a comfortable lead down the home stretch and crossed the finish line with a season-best of 48.90 to win the gold medal at the U.S. track and field championships.
“I wanted to challenge myself,” McLaughlin-Levrone said following the win. “I felt like this is the year I wanted to step out of the box and really push myself in a different way.”
Isabella Whittaker placed second (49.59) and Aaliyah Butler got third (49.91) to capture the two other qualifying sports for next month’s world championships in Tokyo, Japan.
For McLaughlin-Levrone, her main competition Saturday was her quest to achieve the women’s 400 American record. Sanya Richards owns the record (48.70) which has stood since 2006.
It would be quite the feat for already the top women’s track and field athlete in the country. Her resume includes four Olympic gold medals and she’s the current world-record holder in the 400-meter hurdles.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s impressive performance — without being pushed much by the other competitors — shows she’s inching closer at owning another record in an event that she still calls “foreign” to her.
“Everyone talks about the American record of course, that’s gonna come when it’s supposed to come,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “I think I learned a lot about myself. I think I learned a lot about the 400. But ultimately, every day it’s stepping on the track and being the best I can be, figuring out a race that is very foreign to me and taking on new challenges and being comfortable with the 400.”
McLaughlin-Levrone’s performance currently ranks her third in the world in the 400.
Sha’Carri Richardson arrested in alleged domestic violence incident, police say
It’s only a matter of time before she achieves the American record, and possibly, becomes the best 400-meter runner in the world as she is with the hurdles in front of her.
USA TODAY Sports is on the ground at the U.S. track and field championships and has the highlights from day three at Hayward Field:
Jacory Patterson wins men’s 400
Patterson used to work at UPS and now he’s a national champion.
The sprinter won his first ever national championship in the 400, running a 44.16. Patterson currently ranks third in the world as he now sets his sights on Tokyo.
“It feels like a dream. I put in the work,” Patterson said. “I give all thanks to the man above and my support system. They are the ones who got me here.”
Patterson used to split time between training on the track and working shifts at UPS. He’s since earned enough money to focus on the 400.
“My last day was June 5,” Patterson said with a smile.
Jonah Koech upsets Olympic champion in men’s 1,500
Koech used a final kick to surge past Ethan Strand to win the 1,500. He clocked in with a personal-best time of 3:30.17.
The 1,500 was one of the most competitive events of the day. Strand held on for second (3:30.25) and defending Olympic champion Cole Hocker earned a bronze medal, running a 3:30.37.
Reigning Olympic champ Masai Russell earns 100 hurdles crown
Russell separated from the field midway through the race and clocked in at 12.22 to win gold in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.
Grace Stark (12.31) and Alaysha Johnson (12.36) came in second and third, respectively.
Russell gestured as if to put a crown on herself after winning the race in convincing fashion. The defending Olympic champion is ranked No. 1 in the world in the 100 hurdles.
Reggie Jagers takes men’s discus
Jagers tossed a discus 219 feet, 4 inches on his third attempt to win the men’s discus. His winning throw was over four feet better than the rest of the field.
Chase Jackson wins women’s shot put
The two-time world champion threw 68 feet, 4 ½ inches to win. Jackson is currently the top shot putter in the world.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.