Latest news with #SydneyMcLaughlinLevrone
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Savannah Sutherland lowers NCAA and Canadian women's 400m hurdles marks in 4-record effort
Savannah Sutherland's performance Saturday for the University of Michigan was nearly 3-10ths of a second faster than U.S. Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's collegiate record of 52.75. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters - image credit) University of Michigan hurdler Savannah Sutherland of Borden, Sask., set four records Saturday on the final day of competition at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships in Eugene, Ore. The 21-year-old achieved marks for her school, NCAA, NCAA Championship meet and Canada, crossing the finish line in 52.46 seconds to beat Akala Garrett (54.66) of Texas. Sutherland's previous national record time of 53.26 stood since last June 8. Advertisement Saturday's performance was nearly 3-10ths of a second faster than U.S. Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's collegiate record of 52.75. Sutherland and McLaughlin-Levrone are the only women's runners in NCAA history to break 53 seconds. Sutherland, who placed seventh in the Paris Olympic final last Aug. 8, also tied world champion Femke Bol for the world lead this season, behind only McLaughlin-Levrone (52.07). On Friday, Sutherland started strong and maintained her lead throughout the race, extending her advantage in the one-lap race with each clearing of the 10 hurdles, for her third consecutive top-two finish in the event at NCAA Championships. She finished fourth in her 2022 freshman year. Advertisement On May 18, Sutherland won her third straight title at the Big Ten Championships in Eugene, taking each round by over two seconds. The top-ranked NCAA athlete in women's 400m hurdles made history last summer in Paris. At 21, Sutherland was the youngest member of the Canadian track and field team to reach an individual Olympic final and Canada's first woman to reach a 400m hurdles final since the 1996 Atlanta Games.
CBC
6 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
Savannah Sutherland lowers NCAA and Canadian women's 400m hurdles marks in 4-record effort
University of Michigan hurdler Savannah Sutherland of Borden, Sask., set four records Saturday on the final day of competition at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships in Eugene, Ore. The 21-year-old achieved marks for her school, NCAA, NCAA Championship meet and Canada, crossing the finish line in 52.46 seconds to beat Akala Garrett (54.66) of Texas. Sutherland's previous national record time of 53.26 stood since last June 8. Saturday's performance was nearly 3-10ths of a second faster than U.S. Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's collegiate record of 52.75. Sutherland and McLaughlin-Levrone are the only women's runners in NCAA history to break 53 seconds. Sutherland, who placed seventh in the Paris Olympic final last Aug. 8, also tied world champion Femke Bol for the world lead this season, behind only McLaughlin-Levrone (52.07). On Friday, Sutherland started strong and maintained her lead throughout the race, extending her advantage in the one-lap race with each clearing of the 10 hurdles, for her third consecutive top-two finish in the event at NCAA Championships. She finished fourth in her 2022 freshman year. On May 18, Sutherland won her third straight title at the Big Ten Championships in Eugene, taking each round by over two seconds. The top-ranked NCAA athlete in women's 400m hurdles made history last summer in Paris. At 21, Sutherland was the youngest member of the Canadian track and field team to reach an individual Olympic final and Canada's first woman to reach a 400m hurdles final since the 1996 Atlanta Games.
The Guardian
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Michael Johnson cancels Los Angeles Grand Slam Track meeting
Michael Johnson cancelled the final leg of the new Grand Slam Track series in Los Angeles before an emergency meeting with athletes on Thursday night, leaving the host of the 2028 Olympics and the country's second-largest city without a major track meeting this summer. Johnson raised around $30m to launch Grand Slam Track this spring, promising a new way of doing track – involving a group of runners under contract racing twice over a weekend and focusing more on where they finished than actual times. Among the top athletes he signed were Olympic champions Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas, though two other American track stars, Sha'Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles, did not race in the league. The first three events, in Kingston, Jamaica, Miami and Philadelphia, raised about $9.45m, with another $3m expected to be paid in LA. Bonuses were expected to go to season-long winners of the categories. The news on Thursday about the abrupt scrubbing of the meeting, scheduled for the last weekend in June at Drake Stadium, follows USA Track and Field's decision to take an event set for earlier in June – the LA Grand Prix – off the calendar. Max Siegel, USATF chief executive, told the Associated Press that the federation pulled its event because it was not viable to hold two major track meets in LA in the span of three weeks. A person with knowledge of the Grand Slam Track decision told the AP it was because of economic problems with the venue. The person added the new track league is looking towards 2026 and is expected to announce new investors next week. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been publicly announced. A meeting with the athletes was slated to take place later on Thursday. Siegel said leaders at USATF 'understand the significance of the [LA] market' and that there are plans for leaders to meet later this summer to coordinate the future of track there and throughout the United States, starting in 2026. 'It highlights the complicated way the [sport] works, and how difficult it is to financially sustain track meets,' Siegel said. 'The only way to do it in a sustainable way is collaboration and partnerships.' In the short term, USATF is looking to find meetings for a handful of athletes who still need to reach standards or collect points to qualify for world championships later this year and were planning to compete in Los Angeles. The news was far from what Olympic and track leaders were hoping as they head towards the first Summer Games in the United States since 1996 in a city that, 12 years before that, put Carl Lewis, Edwin Moses, Evelyn Ashford and others in the spotlight.
Telegraph
12-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Michael Johnson cuts short athletics roadshow ahead of emergency meeting
Michael Johnson cancelled the final leg of the new Grand Slam Track series ahead of an emergency meeting with athletes on Thursday night. A new format that was designed to breathe fresh life into track athletics has drawn sparse crowds during three weekends of action so far this year and, following talks on Thursday, the final round later this month in Los Angeles has been scrapped. Johnson has raised the earning potential of the athletes with $100,000 prizes for winning races at each of the four meetings in the new league and, while some big global stars including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone had signed up, the racing had drawn limited interest. Great Britain Olympic silver medallists Josh Kerr and Matthew Hudson-Smith were among the winners in the opening rounds but many of the major draws in the sport – notably Noah Lyles and Jakob Ingebrigtsen – were not signed up. It is understood that the specific economics of the deal at the UCLA venue in LA were particularly challenging and what is being seen as a 'pilot season' has now ended. Cancelling the LA event will save organisers in excess of £2 million, it is understood. However, an announcement regarding new investors and new partnerships for the 2026 season is due next week. The Grand Slam Track concept has drawn criticism for the absence of field events and requiring athletes to 'double up' in races, meaning that they must compete twice in a relatively short space of time, including in distances that are not their speciality. With no pacemakers, Johnson had hoped that regular racing between leading athletes would be attractive to the general public. However, the big meaningful race showdowns in athletics have historically always taken place at the major international championships. The Diamond League circuit provides a further option that includes racing with pacemakers, meaning those more established events can often attract runners who are going for world records, personal bests or simply even what are hugely challenging qualifying standards for the major championships. The cancellation of the final event represents a significant embarrassment for Grand Slam Track but it is planning to return in 2026 with a refined concept and potentially races in Europe. British Athletics was approached to host an event this year but has instead decided to focus on the London Diamond League Meeting next month, which will include Lyles, Ingebrigtsen, Kerr and Keely Hodgkinson, and which is already an 80,000 sell-out. Track and field's main event this year is the World Championships that will be hosted in Tokyo in September.
Forbes
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Runs 100-Meter World Lead At Grand Slam Track
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of the United States wins in the Women's 200 Meters during the Grand Slam ... More Track series at the historic Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, on May 31, 2025. (Photo by STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Operating on a newly condensed two-day competition schedule, Grand Slam Track brought electric energy and elite racing to the historic Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Almost every race ended in a new stadium record, effectively rewriting the history books and raising the bar for all who wish to compete there in the future. From Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone running her first-ever professional 100-meter dash to Olympic silver medalist Melissa Jefferson-Wooden dropping a new 100-meter dash world lead, there was something invigorating for every fan to watch. Here is a guide that recaps some of the most exciting moments from the weekend. PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES JUNE 1: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of the United States celebrates after ... More she wins in the Women's 100 meters with 10.73 a new World Lead time and her Personal Best, winning the Women's Short Sprint category, on the second day of the third leg of the Grand Slam Track Series, held at the historic Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, on June 1, 2025. (Photo by Artur Widak/Anadolu via Getty Images) Olympic bronze medalist Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is currently on a three-Slam winning streak in the short sprints. Even with having to face the fourth fastest woman of all time, Gabby Thomas, Jefferson-Wooden shows she isn't afraid to test her limits for the $100,000 prize. On day one of Grand Slam, Jefferson-Wooden lined up against Olympic champion Thomas for the second this Slam season in the 200-meter dash. Although Thomas has incredible top-end speed, it wasn't enough to track down Jefferson-Wooden, who ran a 21.99 second personal best. In the mixed zone after the competition, the Olympic silver medalist expressed that part of her plan for the 200-meter dash was to get out as quickly as possible because she knew her competition would be strong and looking to track her down. 'I knew if I wanted to win, I had to get out, get in front, control the race, and let them come get me,' said Jefferson-Wooden. The now three-time short sprint Slam champion did just that, making her race plan pay off just as intended. Today in Philadelphia, the Olympic bronze medalist ran a world lead and personal best in the 100-meter dash of 10.73 seconds. From the gun, Jefferson-Wooden had a strong acceleration phase, making her difficult to track down in the later phases of the race. No competitor was near her when she crossed the finish line. Despite some fans being concerned that she may be peaking with her athletic abilities, Jefferson-Wooden firmly believes she is far from the best version of herself and has way more in the tank. When she spoke with me in the mixed-zone, she expressed that these races are feeling easy. As it stands, she and Olympic champion Julien Alfred are displaying the most promise to podium in Tokyo so far this season. There is one more Grand Slam Track meet happening this year in Los Angeles on June 28th-29th. If Jefferson-Wooden can pull off earning her fourth Slam title, she will have a strong case for winning Racer of the Year. PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 31: Ackera Nugent competes against Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ... More competes in the women's 100m hurdles during Grand Slam Track at Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania on May 31, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Roger Wimmer/) Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is a woman of many athletic talents. Outside of being the six-time world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles, McLaughlin-Levrone can also hold her own in the 400-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 100-meter hurdles, and now the 100-meter dash. Although she did not come out as the short hurdle Slam champion, McLaughlin-Levrone was not afraid to push her limits and fight for the title. As previously mentioned, the Olympic champion decided to compete in the short hurdles at Franklin Field. On the first day, McLaughlin-Levrone ran 12.70 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles, placing fifth to earn four points. Jamaican national record holder Ackera Nugent controlled the race, running 12.44 seconds to break the facility record and earn her first victory of the weekend. Today, McLaughlin-Levrone stepped even further outside of her comfort zone and raced her first-ever professional 100-meter dash. The last time she ran a 100-meter dash before today was her freshman year at Kentucky, where she ran a wind-aided 11.07 at the Tennessee Relays. Despite not being the favorite to win the 100-meter dash, the Olympic champion held her own. She did not have the best start, but the final stages of the race were spectacular as she picked off her competitors one by one. Nugent reigned victorious again, running 11.11 seconds to earn her second short hurdle Slam victory of the year. McLaughlin-Levrone ran a strong second, running a new wind-legal personal best of 11.21 seconds. McLaughlin-Levrone placed second overall in the short hurdles this Slam, taking home $50,000 for her efforts. After competition, the 400-meter hurdle world record holder mentioned why this weekend was monumental for her testing her mental strength. 'I think the best part was honestly putting myself in an uncomfortable position and seeing how I reacted and handled it,' said McLaughlin-Levrone. 'Being able to go in there against the best of the best and put myself in that position, I'm proud of how I handled it mentally.' PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES JUNE 1: Jamal Britt of Great Britain wins in the Men's Short Hurdles ... More category, after finsing second in the Men's 100 meters, on the second day of the third leg of the Grand Slam Track Series, held at the historic Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, on June 1, 2025. (Photo by Artur Widak/Anadolu via Getty Images) Grand Slam Track has a goal of making professional track a sport where athletes do not need to rely on shoe sponsorships to continue their dream of competing professionally. Instead, they want to provide opportunities for athletes to showcase their abilities and earn a substantial amount of money for competing against the best of the best. This weekend, unsponsored hurdler Jamal Britt became the new heartfelt story to come out of the Grand Slam meets. Britt became the short hurdle Slam champion by placing first in the 110-meter hurdles against current world leader Cordell Tinch and Miami Slam winner Trey Cunningham. Adding to his strong hurdle race, Britt placed second behind Cunningham in the 100-meter dash, earning him a total of 20 points. Britt has always been an elite hurdler. From his time at the University of Iowa to now, Britt has made multiple USATF National Championship finals, only missing world and Olympic teams by only a spot or two. Despite constantly proving his athletic ability, he sits on a long list of elite track and field athletes without a shoe sponsor. After competing, I asked him what would be the first thing he'd do with his check. Britt stated the money would go right back into funding his track career. He would use the money for medical treatment, travel, and more. Like Jacory Patterson, Dylan Beard, and Chris Robinson, all unsponsored athletes who've benefited from the large prize money at Grand Slam, this financial victory was monumental for his career. PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 31: Kenny Bednarek of the United States celebrates after winning ... More the men's 200m on Day 1 of Grand Slam Track- Philadelphia at Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania on May 31, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by) Just like his training partner Jefferson-Wooden, Kenny Bednarek is on a hot streak with Slam titles this season. Bednarek earned his third short sprint Slam title at Franklin Field, proving why he is a strong contender for male Racer of the Year. Although the 100-meter dash isn't Bednarek's strongest event, he has proven this season that he is committed to executing dominant races to elevate his overall sprint capabilities. Bednarek ran 9.86 seconds in the 100-meter dash on Saturday, making that a new personal best and world lead. In the 200-meter dash, Bednarek controlled the race from the gun, making his competitors work hard to catch him coming around the turn. Once he hit the straightaway, no one could catch the two-time Olympic silver medalist. He ran 19.95, giving Franklin Field a new facility record in the 200-meter dash. Bednarek's sprinting capabilities speak for themselves. He was the only male athlete, along with Noah Lyles, to make Team USA in two sprint events. In Paris, he placed seventh in the 100-meter dash final. He ran 9.88 seconds in Paris, which is only two-hundredths of a second slower than the personal best he ran Saturday. Bednarek also earned his second Olympic silver medal in the 200-meter dash. The Olympian has been a force to be reckoned with since his time as a collegiate athlete. Bednarek only spent one year at Indian Hills Community College before turning professional after his wind-aided 19.49 second 200-meter dash in 2019. In the mixed zone, Bednarek stated that he felt he could have run faster in the 100-meter dash today and knows he has a lot more left to give this season. If all goes well, he can podium in Tokyo in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dash, similar to his countryman and three-time world champion, Lyles. The final Grand Slam Track meet will take place in Los Angeles, California, June 28th-29th. For more information on how to watch or purchase tickets, fans can refer to the Grand Slam Track website for more details. The stakes will be high as Jefferson-Wooden and Bednarek try to secure their fourth Slam victories. Fans can also expect McLaughlin-Levrone to push the envelope again as she plans to take on 400-meter Olympic gold and silver medalists Marileidy Paulino and Salwa Eid Naser in the long sprints.
