All eyes on Sydney McLaughlin in 400-meter hurdles

When she dons the U.S. uniform next month, she will be the youngest American track athlete to compete in an Olympics since 1972.

Dalilah Muhammad dominated the 400-meter hurdles on Sunday in the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Ore. She will join her brother, Taylor McLaughlin, who also qualified for the U.S. Olympic team.

That desire grew days after day to the point of looking up to Felix as her idol until she started to dream of becoming part of the US Olympic Team. “Sometimes I forget that I am just 16”.

Among the nine N.J. track and field athletes going to Rio, two claimed victories at the Olympic Trials, Keturah Orji and English Gardner.

According to her Union Catholic coach Mike McCabe, Sydney McLaughlin “has the tools to be the best there ever was in the 400 hurdles and maybe the 400”.

“My mind was on finishing the race and eating a cheeseburger”, she said of what she had kept her focus on. You know, I don’t get paid for this.

The last 16-year-old to compete in the Olympics for the United States was 100m hurdler Rhonda Brady in the Montreal Games in 1976.

“She’s a beast”, Carter told USA Today. “She’s the truth. I was in every single heat with her, and she carries herself like a pro”. According to the AP, McLaughlin is the youngest person to compete on the USA track and field team since 1972.

Ashley Spencer was second in 54.02sec while high school student Sydney McLaughlin was third in 54.15. “I am just here for fun”.

McLaughlin had originally planned to contest the World Junior track and field championships in Poland later this month, but said Sunday she will evaluate her plans now that the Olympics are on the horizon.

“She’s super-consistent as a racer”, McCabe said.

High jumper Vashti Cunningham, the 18-year-old daughter of National Football League quarterback Randall Cunningham, qualified for the Olympic team with her runner-up finish last Sunday.