National Weekend Rundown: Big Names Hit Big Marks


Sydney McLaughlin Snags 300m National Record The Day Before States

Teenage Olympian Sydney McLaughlin went home disappointed from her career debut at the NYRR Millrose Games last weekend after failing to secure the 300m national high school record. She broke Francena McCorory's 400m national record last year as a junior with a blazing 51.84, but was McCorory's 36.96 too far out of reach?

McLaughlin, a University of Kentucky recruit by way of Scotch Plains, N.J., plotted one more record attempt at the Artie O'Connor Invitational on Friday at the New York Armory, one day before the New Jersey state indoor championships. She delivered by improving her 37.09 best to 36.82 to make the record her own.

She said after the race that she let nerves get to her at Millrose, where she competed in the Elite section vs. Olympic medalists Shaunae Miller, Natasha Hastings and Ashley Spencer.

The next day, she won the 400m at the New Jersey state meet in 54.27. She also anchored the winning 4x400m relay in 3:55.26; Union Catholic won the overall team title with 98 points as Red Bank Catholic was second with 40 points.

More from the Artie O'Connor Invitational: