Shamier Little runner-up in 400m hurdles at Diamond League Final

EUGENE, Oregon – The final day of the Prefontaine Classic provided a pair of World records along with an American record and five world leading marks as the annual meet served as the Diamond League Final this year.

Arkansas volunteer assistant Shamier Little, a silver medalist at the recent Budapest World Championships, finished second in the 400m hurdles with a time of 53.45 seconds after leading the field from hurdle 4 to hurdle 8, splitting 36.64 at the eighth hurdle.

World champion Femke Bol of the Netherlands, won the race in a meet record of 51.98, topping the 52.77 set by Dalilah Muhammad in 2021. Bol split 36.74 at hurdle 8, but moved ahead of Little by hurdle 9, with an edge of 41.54 to 41.61.

“This year was a little different, usually I’m trying to redeem myself at the Diamond League Final,” said Little. “How I did at Worlds made my season more what it should be and what I’ve wanted it to be.

“So, I came into this meet as the last race and to give it my all. Not playing it safe, having fun, and just going for it. I think I did that.”

Bol noted: “I tried to go out a bit fast but when I get tired this is hard for me. But I had a really strong finish again and my strides worked like I wanted. Finishing in 51 and the Diamond League trophy win is all I can ask for.”

Also in the field were a pair of hurdlers who train with Arkansas women’s assistant coach Boogie Johnson. Anna Cockrell finished fifth in 54.48 while Gianna Woodruff placed seventh in 54.95.

World records were set by Mondo Duplantis with a clearance of 20-5.75 (6.23) in the pole vault, bettering the 20-4.75 (6.22) he set indoors in February, as well as Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay in the 5,000m with a 14:00.21 that shattered the previous mark of 14:05.20 set Kenyan Faith Kipyegon earlier this summer.

Athing Mu bettered her American record in winning the 800m in 1:54.97 over Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson, runner-up in 1:55.19. Mu also broke the meet record of 1:55.04 she set in 2021.

Ryan Crouser, who trains in Fayetteville, finished second in the shot put with a mark of 75-2 (22.91). Joe Kovacs claimed the event with a 75-2.75 (22.93) performance.

“Super happy with the season,” noted Crouser. “I had a lot of adversity this year that really wasn’t planned – not that it ever is. Wasn’t expecting the issues that I had but I feel like I battled through it really well. Overall, I was really happy today with my performance.

“Coming in, for 22.90 to get second, I never would have guessed that. Hats off to Joe, he threw really well, especially considering he’s been traveling and stuff.“

In the men’s long jump Arkansas alums Jarrion Lawson and LaQuan Nairn placed fifth and seventh. Lawson had a mark of 26-3.75 (8.02) while Nairn covered a distance of 23-10.25 (7.27).

Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer and Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle both had leading marks of 26-11.75 (8.22), with Ehammer claiming the victory with a better secondary mark of 26-7.75 (8.12).

Razorback Wayne Pinnock remains the world leader for the 2023 season with his 28-0.25 (8.54) from the qualifying round of the World Championships in Budapest. Another Arkansas 2023 world leader is Jaydon Hibbert in the triple jump with his 58-7.5 (17.87).

Competing in the women’s long jump, Arkansas alum Taliyah Brooks placed sixth leaping to the same mark of 21-2 (6.45) twice, in rounds three and five.