Thoughts on Sydney McLaughlin

Why do the trials when she can win the Jr meet and qualify for World Jrs which will be better for her development then jumping in the deep end already

Doesn't turn 16 till next month. Actually young for the grade.

Do you have be 16 before the trials or do you have to simply turn 16 that year?

jenapharm wrote:

Why do the trials when she can win the Jr meet and qualify for World Jrs which will be better for her development then jumping in the deep end already

Normally I would agree, but at age 15, she is already a minute and half ahead of the next best junior. She is winning her races by such a large margin, to stay inspired, she is going to need a challenge from somewhere. If she gets down into the 54s next year, which is likely, she would not be running U.S. trails for experience, she would have a good chance of making the team. In terms of development, she has already competed at U.S. Juniors and WYC; she almost has to take the next step up. Also, if winning a world junior title is important, she could compete in 2016 Olympics and still be eligible for world juniors in 2018.

TrackCoach wrote:

Do you have be 16 before the trials or do you have to simply turn 16 that year?

Good question. I was always under impression that you had to be 16 by time of meet but not at all certain.

I also think Candace Hill can find herself in a similar situations if she continues to improve. Sometimes being too good, too young can be a curse.

She turns 16 this year and should be eligible to run the trials . Hopefully she meets the qualifying standard. I have not been able to find them posted anywhere.

dwightarm wrote:

TrackCoach wrote:

Do you have be 16 before the trials or do you have to simply turn 16 that year?

Good question. I was always under impression that you had to be 16 by time of meet but not at all certain.

19 JUL 2015 REPORT CALI, COLOMBIA

GIRLS' 400M HURDLES – IAAF WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS, CALI 2015

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Past winners of the girls’ 400m hurdles title include Zuzana Hejnova and Jana Pittman, who both went on to scoop senior world titles and there will be a rising sense of anticipation that the latest holder, Sydney McLaughlin, could go on one day to emulate the feat.

The much heralded 15-year-old US athlete produced a 400m hurdles masterclass at the IAAF World Youth Championships, Cali 2015 to trim 0.02 from the 10-year-old championship record held by Ebony Collins, stopping the clock at 55.94 to strike gold.

Canada’s Xahria Santiago recovered from a disappointing semi-final to produce a splendid run from lane one to take silver in a personal best of 56.79 while McLaughin’s countrywoman Brandee Johnson took bronze in a personal best of 57.47.

Yet this race was all about the hugely-talented New Jersey high school student, who has proved invincible this season over a range of events.

Competing in lane three with her trademark bow in her hair, McLaughlin set off with intent and had already established a clear advantage by hurdle two.

The only athlete prepared to attempt to go with the blistering pace was Johnson, the Youth Olympic 200m bronze medallist, running two lanes on her outside.

McLaughlin continued to build on her lead and entered the home straight at least five metres to the good from Johnson, followed by Santiago who had quietly crept into contention.

Briefly the long-time leader looked vulnerable to the Canadian’s rising threat but she resisted the challenge to claim gold by more than half a second to add a second IAAF World Youth Championship medal to the family collection. Older brother, Taylor, won a medley relay silver at the last edition in Donetsk two years ago.

An elated McLaughlin, who had suffered a number of worrying injury niggles in the spring, said: “I am completely happy. The track was so fast I had to check my rhythm all the time. I am looking at a great future and it is a big honour to be this successful for USA.”

As a further measure of her class, McLaughlin’s personal best time of 55.28 set earlier this month in Lisle stands her 18th on the 2015 senior world lists for the event. Not bad going for a 15-year-old.

www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-youth-championships/9th-iaaf-world-youth-championships-2015-5408/news/report/women/400-metres-hurdles/final

Sydney McLaughlin, already a New Jersey track and field legend at the age of 15, added to her remarkable resume by winning the women's 400-meter hurdles title in a meet record 55.94 at the 9th IAAF World Youth Championships on Saturday night in Cali, Colombia.

McLaughlin, who will be a junior at Union Catholic, kept her undefeated career against high school athletes in the 400 hurdles alive by winning the race by nearly a full second over runner-up Xahria Santiago of Canada (56.79).

McLaughlin, who came into the race with a personal best and US #2 all-time 55.28, came up short in her attempt to break the U.S. national high school record 55.20, set in 1984 by Leslie Maxie of Mills High School in California. But she still has two more years to take that down.

McLaughlin now owns three individual New Balance National high school titles (two in the 400 hurdles and one in the 60 hurdles), a U.S. Youth title, a World Youth title. and five individual N.J. Meet of Champions (indoors and outdoor combined). And she won't be 16 until Aug. 7.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-1408143404817088869/sydney-mclaughlin-wins-400-hurdles-at-world-youth-championships/