Alum Nikki Hiltz breaks 1985 mile American record

MONACO – Arkansas alum Nikki Hiltz finished sixth in the mile at the Monaco Diamond League, breaking the American record with a time of 4 minutes, 16.35 seconds. The previous record of 4:16.71 was set in 1985 by Mary Slaney.

The winner of the mile, Faith Kipyegon of Kenya, broke the world record with a winning time of 4:07.64. The previous world record was 4:12.33 set at Stade Louis II in Monaco by Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands in 2019.

Multiple national records and career best times were set in the mile race with Ciara Mageean of Ireland runner-up in 4:14.58 and Laura Muir of Scotland in fourth at 4:15.24 setting the British record. Australia’s Jessica Hull broke the Oceania record with a 4:15.34 in fifth place.

The previous best for Hiltz in the mile was 4:18.38, which ranked fifth on the U.S. all-time list, set earlier this season in placing fourth in the Oslo Diamond League meet. Prior to this year, Hiltz had a PR of 4:21.89 from 2022.

Another American in the race, Elise Cranny, finished eighth in 4:16.47 to also eclipse the previous U.S. record.

Metric splits to a mile finish from Track & Field News for Hiltz included (64.6, 63.8 [2:08.4], 63.8 [3:12.2], 64.2) (16.7, 32.6, 64.2, 2:08.0). At 1,500m, Cranny split 3:58.88 in sixth place while Hiltz was at 3:59.61 in eighth place.

Runner-up finishes were posted by Shamier Little in the 400m and by Tara Davis-Woodhall in the long jump after both were in contention to claim a Diamond League victory.

Running in lane 8 of the 400m, Little withstood the challenges coming from the middle lanes by Lieke Klaver and Rhasidat Adeleke in lanes 4 and 5. Near the finish, though, a late surge by Natalia Kaczmarek in lane 6 snared the victory in 49.63.

Little, who recently won the USATF title in the 400m hurdles, established a career best of 49.68 as runner-up with Klaver and Adeleke both running 49.99 for third and fourth place. Little’s previous best in the 400m was 49.91 from 2021.

For the 2023 season, Little ranks equal sixth with American Gabby Thomas on the world list and equal third among U.S. sprinters behind Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (48.74) and Razorback Britton Wilson (49.13).

Davis-Woodhall moved into the overall lead in the final round of the long jump with a leap of 22-7 (6.88), which moved her ahead of Serbia’s Ivana Vuleta, who had a best of 22-6.25 (6.86), by three quarters of an inch. The final jump by Larissa Iapichino of Italy, though, measured 22-9.75 (6.95) to claim the victory.

The next Diamond League meet will be held in London’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday, July 23. Coverage of the meet will be available on Peacock TV from 8 to 10 a.m. (CT).

Arkansas alums in the London Diamond League include USATF champion Krissy Gear racing in the 3,000m steeplechase while the pole vault includes Sandi Morris and Tina Šutej. Davis-Woodhall will compete in the long jump while Little contests the 400m hurdles.