Sydney McLaughlin, who will be a senior this upcoming school year at Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, became one of the youngest athletes to make the U.S. Olympic track team by finishing third in the 400-meter hurdles at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
Sydney finished the race with a time of 54.15 seconds, a new world junior record. Sydney, only 16 years of age, will not turn 17 until the week before the Olympic track and field schedule begins.
Although it will certainly be a challenge to medal in Rio, Sydney has a good chance of making the women’s finals in the 400-meter hurdles. Nonetheless, it seems she has a very bright future in the sport for many years to come.
Take a look at Sydney’s race at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
By. Dr. Brandon Spradley
Dr. Spradley is the Director of Sports Management at the United States Sports Academy, and can be reached at bspradley@ussa.edu.