Sydney McLaughlin of Union Catholic started off her final high school meet in New Jersey by making more history when she became the first person in state history to win four straight 400-meter hurdle titles at the 49th Meet of Champions on Saturday at Northern Burlington in Columbus.
Holding back to save herself for a fast 400 later, the legendary McLaughlin eased up as she approached the finish line, crossing in 56.97, just off her meet record of 56.23 that she ran last year. McLaughlin, a 2016 U.S. Olympian in the 400 hurdles, came into the race No. 3 in the world with the World Junior record 54.03 she ran at the State Non-Public A meet last week.
The Kentucky-bound McLaughlin, who has now won 10 individual M of C titles (six outdoors), will return to the track later in an attempt to shatter her own state and meet record in the 400 of 51.87 that she ran last year. It remains to be seen if she will run the meet-concluding 4x400 relay.
