Which Outdoor National Records Still Seem Unbreakable?


GIRLS 400M


Photo Credit: USATF

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50.69

Sanya Richards-Ross, St. Thomas Aquainas (FL)

June 22, 2002


The 400m American record holder began making her mark in track and field at a young age.

In the two decades since the St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) star set the high school record of 50.69, no athlete has put down a mark that compares, let alone a time faster than 51 seconds.

The last athlete in more recent memory to come close to breaking 51 seconds? Kayla Davis of Run U Xpress (NC) clocked 51.04 at New Balance Nationals Outdoor in 2019 -- that same year, she also split 49-seconds on an anchor during the Pan American U20 Championships -- but only 12 girls have ever even ran a sub-52 second time.

Richards-Ross went on to win four Olympic gold medals and six World Championship titles. It could be years before we see another 400m talent like her that will put her record in danger.

One athlete who seems within an earshot of the record is rising Wakefield (NC) senior Shawnti Jackson, who has run a PR of 52.32.