Savannah Sutherland of Borden, Saskatchewan set the Canadian record in the women’s 400 metre hurdles at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on Thursday. Sutherland posted a time of 54.04 seconds in the preliminary round.
Sutherland, who attends the University of Michigan, broke the record previously set by Sage Watson of Medicine Hat, Alberta, who had a time of 54.32 metres in the semifinals at the 2019 International Association of Athletics Federation World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar on October 2, 2019.
On Thursday, Sutherland had the second fastest time in the preliminaries. The fastest time belonged to American Rachel Glenn of Long Beach, California, who had a time of 53.80 seconds. Glenn, who attends the University of Arkansas, is an impressive multi-sport track and field athlete, as she also excels in the women’s high jump.
The world record in the women’s 400 metre hurdles belongs to American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. On July 22, 2022, she posted a time of 50.68 seconds in winning gold at the 2022 International Association of Athletics Federation World Athletics Championships in Eugene.
The Canadian record time in Eugene will give Sutherland confidence as she prepares for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The women’s 400 metre hurdles will take place on August 8.
