Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone steals the show on last night of US Olympic athletics trials

OREGON – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone broke the women’s 400m hurdles world record for the fifth time on June 30 after crossing the line in 50.65 seconds at the US Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon.

The 24-year-old Olympic champion improved on her previous mark of 50.68sec set two years ago at the same Hayward Field track, to finish ahead of Anna Cockrell (52.64sec) as Jasmine Jones (52.77sec) took third.

McLaughlin-Levrone was in a state of disbelief after posting such a quick time.

“I’m just amazed, baffled and in shock,” she said. “There’s something really exciting about trying to figure out how to improve upon history.”

She exploded out of the blocks and took the lead immediately, gliding over each hurdle in a technically flawless performance.

Cockrell and Jones were left to battle for the last two spots on the podium, as McLaughlin-Levrone was all on her own around the final turn.

She was nearly two seconds clear of the rest of the field as she crossed the finish to thunderous applause from the crowd at the heart of American track.

She told reporters she did not have a time in mind heading into the event, focusing instead on her execution and technique.

“It’s just super encouraging just to see that... without expecting it. Knowing that there is more there,” she said.

She had only run in the event once this season before the 10-day US trials, which concluded on June 30, but showed no signs of rust as she jogged through the finish of her semi-final in a world-leading 52.48sec.

The only woman ever to run faster than 51 seconds in the event, she will bid to become the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic 400m hurdles titles in Paris.

“We’re in a great spot,” said McLaughlin-Levrone. “(The Olympics are) coming up fast but I know that this is a big confidence boost and also going to help us know what we have to fix.”

Dalilah Muhammad, the 2016 Rio champion, finished sixth in 54.27sec and said she simply ran out of time to get herself in tip-top shape for the trials.

Rai Benjamin won the men’s race in a world-leading 46.46sec, the fifth-fastest of all time, as he got off to a fast start and left C.J. Allen (47.81sec) and Trevor Bassitt (47.82sec) to battle down the final stretch.

Masai Russell overcame an experienced field to win the 100m hurdles in 12.25sec, the fastest time of the season. Alaysha Johnson finished second and Grace Stark was third –  both in 12.31sec.

“I have so many emotions. I stayed true to my work and my craft,” said Russell.

Bryce Hoppel took off at the midway point to win the men’s 800m in a meet record 1min 42.77sec ahead of Hobbs Kessler (1:43.64) and Brandon Miller (1:43.97).

Over in Kingston on the same day, Shericka Jackson completed the sprint double on the final day of the Jamaican trials by winning the women’s 200m, while Ackera Nugent set a national record en route to winning the 100m hurdles.

Two-time 200m world champion Jackson crossed the finish line in 22.29sec, her best performance of the year, while Lanae-Tava Thomas (22.34sec) was second and Niesha Burgher came third in 22.39sec.

“I’m pretty pleased given how the season was going, I ran a season-best yesterday and came back with another season-best today, so I’m definitely happy,” the Tokyo Olympics 100m bronze medallist said. “I’m happy and healthy, so it’s go time for the Olympics.”

Nugent posted 12.28sec as she beat two-time world champion Danielle Williams (12.53sec), with Janeek Brown (12.61sec) third.

Nugent said she had worked on controlling her speed between hurdles ahead of the trials.

“This is something that I’ve written down for myself, it’s on my mirror, it’s on my phone so I knew that I was capable and as long as I trusted the process and remained coachable, everything would come together at the end,” said the 22-year-old.

Her winning time lasted for less than an hour as the world-leading mark before Russell posted 12.25sec at the US trials.

“There are other phenomenal ladies out there that will be coming, so the only thing I can do is focus on me,” Nugent said.

“It’s my first full year as a professional, so it just about making the adjustments with better runs.”

A photo finish was required to determine the winner of the men’s 110m hurdles, where Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Broadbell prevailed over Orlando Bennett in 13.18sec.

Defending Olympic champion Hansle Parchment was third in 13.19sec. REUTERS