Sunday Stories From New Balance Nationals

Union Catholic's Big Weekend Comes To Dramatic Close In 4x400's

In an exciting, down-to-the-wire affair in the boys’ 4x400-meter relay at New Balance Nationals, Union Catholic (NJ) held off top-seed Banneker (GA) with a winning time of 3:12.14. The Trojans finished at 3:12.21, just .18 from their nation No. 1.

Anchoring Union Catholic to its national crown was senior Taylor McLaughlin, a runner-up in the 400m hurdles and the anchor for the second-place Swedish Medley Relay this weekend.

“I am glad to end my high school career on a high note,” McLaughlin said. “I got the baton and I think I was in second. I just knew he was going to go out and I had to go out, too. I was able to get that first-place position at the first turn. It was a battle to the end.”

Eleven teams broke 3:20 in the race. Rounding out the top five was Central Dauphin (PA) in third at 3:15.29, Old Tappan (NJ) in fourth at 3:16.30 and Weston (CT) in fifth at 3:17.27.

It was Union Catholic in the girls’ race, too. The New Jersey quartet combined for a winning time of 3:35.90 (US #1) to beat runner-up Oak Park (MI), which finished in 3:36.72 (US #2).

Sydney McLaughlin, who captured the 400m hurdles earlier in the afternoon, anchored the relay squad with a 51.45 split. She was also the anchor for the first-place Swedish Medley, where she was also had a sub 52-second clocking.

“Last night, all we talked about was we have to be national champions. We all want to be national champions,” McLaughlin said. “We knew it was going to be a lot of work for us, but we knew if we put our minds to it, we could do it.”

• Results: Girls 4x400 - Boys 4x400
• Photos: Girls 4x400 - Boys 4x400