Britton Wilson, Shamier Little advance to World Championships in 400m hurdles

EUGENE – Training partners Britton Wilson and Shamier Little qualified for the World Championships in the 400m hurdles on Saturday at Hayward Field by placing second and third as Sydney McLaughlin improved her world record with the victory.

Wilson improved her Arkansas school record to 53.09 as runner-up from the 53.75 she posted in winning the SEC title. Wilson moves to No. 10 on the U.S. all-time list and is No. 3 on the all-dates, all-time collegiate list.

Ahead of Wilson on the all-dates collegiate list are McLaughlin, with the collegiate record of 52.75 set in 2018, and Sheena Johnson of UCLA (52.95) from 2004.

“I’m super happy and excited,” exclaimed Wilson. “I’m glad I PR’d, and I was so close to 52 seconds.”

Little, a volunteer assistant with the Razorbacks, produced a season best of 53.92 to make her second World team. McLaughlin, the world record holder at 51.46 from the Tokyo Olympics, won the race in 51.41.

All three will return to Eugene and Hayward Field for the World Championships, which will be held from July 15-24.

“Shamier has been an amazing mentor and amazing friend,” stated Wilson. “I’m just so happy that I made it to Worlds with her. I knew it was going to be us two, and I’m just so happy with the outcome.”

Little added: “I’m just so grateful and excited to have made this team. I’m excited to be back and have more success in this venue. My first reaction was to see what place I finished. Place was all that mattered, as long as I got top three. I knew the time would come with the effort.

“It’s so special to be going to Worlds with Britton. This is my baby right here, I’m so excited for her. Having her as a training partner, seeing her make this team, and all that she has accomplished this season, she has truly been inspiring to me. I’m excited to see her on this journey.”

Earlier in the meet, Arkansas alum Kiara Parker competed in the 200m, posting a time of 23.00 to place fifth in her heat and 14^th overall, advancing to the semifinal on time.

The 1,500m final featured current Razorback Lauren Gregory and Arkansas alum Nikki Hiltz. Finishing 10^th and 11^th in the race, Hiltz clocked 4:10.97 while Gregory posted a 4:12.04.

Racing in the 3,000m final in the USATF U20 Championships, Heidi Nielson placed third with a time of 9:52.98 while temperatures reached 91 degrees in Eugene. Half of the Hayward Field track was shaded during the race.

Nielson already qualified for the World U20 Championships with a silver medal performance in the 5,000m. There may be an option for her to race in both events in Cali, Colombia.

Competing in the Jamaica Championships, Shafiqua Maloney ran 52.29 in the 400m prelims.

USATF Schedule (PT) | June 23-26 | Live results: https://results.usatf.org/2022Outdoors/

Sunday | June 26