USATF Women’s 400 — AR Again Eludes SML

FOR NOW, AT LEAST, the AR in the women’s 400 remains out of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s grasp. There was little doubt the WR holder/ 2-time Olympic champion in the 400H would win her second flat 400 title at nationals, but how fast would she go?

McLaughlin-Levrone charged out of the blocks, just as she does in the hurdles, and efficiently made up the stagger on Bella Whittaker on the backstretch. She clocked a season-best 48.90, but it was still somewhat deflating given the expectations McLaughlin-Levrone generates whenever she steps on the track.

Two years ago McLaughlin-Levrone’s PR of 48.74 on the same Hayward Field track put her within striking distance of the one of the longest standing ARs: the 48.70 by Sanya Richards-Ross from ’06.

“Everyone talks about the American Record, of course,” said McLaughlin-Levrone with a smile. “That’s going to come when it’s supposed to come. I think this year and this event has taught me patience.”

Whittaker placed 2nd in 49.59, followed by Aaliyah Butler, who was 7th at the halfway point but finished strong in 49.91 from lane 9 — a strong next-level showing for the NCAA champions indoors and out. Lynna Irby-Jackson finished 4th at 50.06.

Last year McLaughlin-Levrone also came tantalizingly close to the AR with a 48.75 in New York, but acknowledged she is still “figuring out a race that is very foreign to me.”

Only Salwa Eid Naser (48.67) and Marileidy Paulino (48.81) have gone faster this year, making their meeting at Worlds in Tokyo one of the most eagerly anticipated showdowns. In ’23, the first time McLaughlin-Levrone chose the 400 over the 400H, the national champ was forced to withdraw from the Budapest WC due to a “minor knee issue.”

Butler came into Eugene with the fastest time by an American at 49.09 — from her second DL race of the summer in Monaco — followed by Whittaker at 49.24. (Gabby Thomas, who ran 49.14 in the Kingston Grand Slam, opted for the 100 and 200 here.)

McLaughlin-Levrone’s best time in three prior 400s this season was 49.43 at the Pre Classic, where she defeated Butler and Whittaker.

“Going into Pre, we had an idea we wanted to focus on the [400 flat],” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “We were like, ‘This is a challenge. It’s not as comfortable for us, but I want to…