Two-time World U20 medalist Steven McElroy joins Razorbacks next fall

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas received a letter of intent from Steven McElroy, who is currently a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati, to join the Razorbacks next fall. McElroy is a two-time World U20 medalist, claiming silver in the 400m and gold with the United States 4 x 400m relay.

McElroy set a career best time of 44.93 seconds to break the 400m meet record in winning the USATF U20 title last summer. The previous meet record of 45.01 was set by Jerome Young (Connecticut HS) in 1995.

The 44.93 by McElroy served as the World U20 leader for 2022 and was the only sub-45 second clocking in that age group. On the all-time World U20 list, McElroy’s time equals No. 18, and he is the ninth-fastest American.

During the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, last August, McElroy posted a 45.65 in the final to earn the silver medal. Running the first leg of the 4 x 400m relay, McElroy split 46.93 as the United States won in an U20 world-leading time of 3:04.47 over Jamaica (3:05.72) and Canada (3:06.50).

McElroy will be the sixth medalist from a World U20 Championships the Razorbacks will have on their roster for the 2023-24 season. Other medalists include Jaydon Hibbert, Ralford Mullings, Devontie Archer, Grant Williams, Wayne Pinnock, and incoming freshman Gabriel Emmanuel from the Netherlands.

McElroy won three conference 400m titles at Cincinnati. During the 2023 indoor season McElroy won the American conference 400m title in 46.33, defending the 2022 title he claimed with a 46.99 effort.

Last spring, McElroy produced a then career best of 45.57 to win the outdoor 400m conference title and he ran on the silver medal 4 x 100 relay.

In high school, McElroy graduated from Pickerington North in Pickerington, Ohio. In his senior season, Pickerington North won the OHSSA State team title as McElroy ran on winning 4 x 200m and 4 x 400m relays while placing second in the 200m and third in the 400m.