EUGENE, OR – JULY 07: Sydney McLaughlin competes in the Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles during the 2016 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on July 7, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
OlympicsBy Matt Clapp on

On Sunday at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, Sydney McLaughlin qualified to run the 400-meter hurdles for the United States in the Rio Olympics.

Oh, and she’s 16! McLaughlin will become the youngest U.S. track and field athlete to compete in the Olympics since 1972.

The teenager finished in third place in Sunday’s U.S. Olympic trials with a time of 54.15, shattering the World Junior Record of 54.40. Here’s video:

McLaughlin is a rising senior at Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and her hometown fans gathered at State House Tavern on Sunday to cheer her on. This is pretty awesome:

So, congratulations to McLaughlin, and we’ll join her hometown fans in rooting her on in the Olympics next month.

[NJ.Com]

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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