Five Razorbacks fulfill initial journey to Olympic Games
EUGENE – Five Razorbacks earned their initial trip to the Olympic Games on Sunday in three different national championships.
The crew included Amber Anning in the UK Athletics Championships, Nickisha Pryce, Ackera Nugent and Janeek Brown in the Jamaica National Trails, as well as Nikki Hiltz in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Nugent broke the Jamaican record in the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.28, which briefly stood as the 2024 world leader until the final held at the U.S. Trials produced a 12.25 winning performance.
Janeek Brown returned to racing this season and finished third in the 100m hurdles with a 12.61 effort. Danielle Williams placed second in 12.53 while Megan Tapper finished fourth in 12.69.
The previous Jamaican record of 12.31 was set in 2022 by Britany Anderson.
Hiltz produced the second fastest time by an American in breaking the U.S. Trials 1,500m meet record with a 3:55.33 victory. The American record of 3:54.99 was set in 2019 by Shelby Houlihan.
Runner-up in the 1,500m was Emily Mackay with a 3:55.90 while Elle St. Pierre placed third in 3:55.99. Those times are No. 3 and No. 4 on the American all-time list. The previous meet record was 3:58.03 set by St. Pierre in 2021.
Racing in Manchester, England, amid cold and wet conditions, Anning clocked a winning time of 50.47 in the 400m to break the UK Championship record of 50.62 set in 1999 by Katharine Merry.
Finishing behind Anning were Laviai Nielson in 50.92 and Yemi Mary John in 51.23.
In Kingston, Pryce controlled the 400m with a winning time of 50.01 to defend her 2023 title. Runner-up in the race was Stacey Ann Williams in 50.56 with Junelle Bromfield third at 51.24. Andrenette Knight placed sixth in 51.65.
The 400m hurdles final at the U.S. Olympic Trials produced a world record of 50.65 for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Anna Cockrell registered another career best with a 52.64 as runner-up while Jasmine Jones finished third in a career best of 52.77. Cockrell and Jones are now No. 7 and No. 8 on the U.S. all-time list.
Shamier Little finished in fourth place with a time of 52.98 while Rachel Glenn established another career best with a 53.46 in fifth place. Dalilah Muhammad placed sixth in 54.27.
A bid for a third Olympic team fell short for Sandi Morris with a fourth-place finish as she cleared a height of 15-4.25 (4.68). The next bar of 15-6.25 (4.73) determined the top three places with Bridget Williams claiming the victory over Katie Moon and Brynn King.
In the Jamaican 110m hurdles final, Omar McLeod tied for fourth place with a 13.22 while Phillip Lemonious finished eighth in 13.69.
The top three places were separated by 0.01 of a second with Rasheed Broadbell winning in 13.18 (13.174) over Orlando Bennett (13.179) while a 13.19 for Hansle Parchment claimed third place.