McLaughlin-Levrone and Russell Shine at US Trials to Secure World Championships Spots

Bhubaneswar : Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Masai Russell secured their places for the 2025 World Athletics Championships with standout performances at the USATF Outdoor Championships held at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

McLaughlin-Levrone captured the women’s 400m title with a season-best time of 48.90 seconds, choosing this flat sprint event over her signature 400m hurdles. A two-time Olympic champion and world record holder in the hurdles, McLaughlin-Levrone made a strategic switch this season to challenge herself in a new discipline. Her time currently ranks her third fastest in the world for 2025. While she has not ruled out a return to hurdles in the future — especially with an eye on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — her immediate focus is on the 400m flat at the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo. No woman has ever won world titles in both the 400m flat and the 400m hurdles, making her ambition one of historic significance.

Masai Russell put on a commanding display in the women’s 100m hurdles, winning in 12.22 seconds — just shy of her American record mark of 12.17 set earlier this year. Her comeback is especially impressive after missing two months of the season due to an ankle injury. Russell will be joined by Grace Stark and Alaysha Johnson on Team USA, repeating the trio that represented the country at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

In other standout performances, Jacory Patterson claimed his first national title in the men’s 400m with a blazing 44.16 seconds, positioning himself among the world’s top three for the year. In the men’s 1500m, Olympic gold medallist Cole Hocker narrowly secured qualification by finishing third in a tightly contested race.

The trials reaffirmed the depth and competitive strength of American track and field, with seasoned champions and rising stars pushing the limits en route to Tokyo. McLaughlin-Levrone’s adaptation to her new event and Russell’s resilience post-injury demonstrate the versatile excellence of the US team heading into the World Championships.

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