Razorbacks secure plenty of places in Olympic Trials finals

EUGENE – After earning an Olympic Games berth in the high jump, Razorback Rachel Glenn advanced to the final of the 400m hurdles on Saturday with a career best time of 53.68 at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

During Saturday’s action in three different national championships, a combination of Razorbacks, alums, and pros who train in Fayetteville advanced nine entries into four separate finals – U.S. 400m hurdles (4), Jamaica 100m hurdles (2), Jamaica 400m (2), and UK 400m (1).

Meanwhile, in Portugal, Razorback Laura Taborda won the 3,000m steeplechase by nearly 24 seconds with a 10:00.73 performance after finishing the collegiate season with a career best 9:35.67 for fifth in the NCAA Championships.

In the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Glenn finished runner-up in heat two of the 400m hurdles behind a 53.49 for Shamier Little.

Joining that pair in the final were Anna Cockrell, who set a career best of 52.95 to win heat three and move to equal No. 8 on the U.S. all-time list, as well as Dalilah Muhammad, who finished second in the first heat with a 54.16 behind the world-leading time of 52.48 by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

At the Jamaica National Trials qualifying to Sunday finals included UA alum Ackera Nugent leading the 100m hurdles with a 12.46 into a -1.1 wind with Danielle Williams runner-up at 12.57 in the first heat. Another Arkansas alum, Janeek Brown, finished third in heat two with a 12.83 (-0.6 wind).

In the Jamaican 400m prelims, national record holder Nickisha Pryce led the field with a 49.63 in the opening heat. Joanne Reid finished third in heat two with a season best 51.69. Andrenette Knight, who trains in Fayetteville, claimed the last position in the final with a 51.23 in heat three.

In Manchester, England, at the UK Athletics Championships, Razorback Amber Anning led the 400m field with a 50.64 that broke the stadium record of 50.74 set in 2006 by Nicola Saunders and just missed the UK Championship record of 50.62 set in 1999 by Katharine Merry.

Cindy Sember won the 100m hurdles final in 12.85 (-1.8 wind) to earn her third Olympic Games berth after posting a 12.79 (1.1 wind) in the prelims.

At Hayward Field in Eugene, Tara Davis-Woodhall defended her 2023 U.S. long jump title to qualify for her second Olympic Games. After two fouls to start the competition, Davis-Woodhall reached a distance of 21-9.5 (6.64) in round three to move into fifth place.

A fifth round wind-aided mark of 22-11.75 (7.00) moved Davis-Woodhall into the lead over Jasmine Moore’s 22-10.75 (6.98).

Brittany Brown, another professional athlete who trains in Fayetteville, advanced to the Paris Olympics as the runner-up in the 200m final with a career best time of 21.90 (0.6 wind). Gabby Thomas won the event in 21.81 with McKenzie Long third in 21.91.

In the semifinal of the 100m hurdles, Razorback Destiny Huven placed fourth in the third heat with a 12.83. The last time qualifier to the final was 12.77, the time Huven ran in the prelims. Gabbi Cunningham placed seventh in the same heat in 13.58.

Racing in the 10,000m final, alum Katie Izzo posted a time of 32:30.31 for 13th place.

Arkansas Schule | 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials

DAY 10 – Sunday, June 30, 2024 Evening Session (PT times listed)

Jamaica National Trials | Kingston (CT times listed)

Sunday, June 30

UK Athletics Championships | Manchester (UK times listed)

Sunday, June 30