The Big Blue Nation is making waves in the Pacific Northwest, as Kentucky’s track and field stars past and present lit up day four of the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the former Wildcat phenom, reminded everyone why she’s the queen of the 400-meter hurdles. The 2021 gold medalist blazed to a season-best 53.07, leaving the competition in her dust and punching her ticket to Saturday’s semis.
“Sydney’s in a league of her own,” a USA Track and Field official told the Courier Journal. “She’s not just running against the clock, she’s chasing history.”
But McLaughlin-Levrone wasn’t the only Cat with claws out. Daniel Roberts, class of ’19, equaled his season best in the 110-meter hurdles, clocking a swift 13.11 to book his spot in tomorrow’s final. Abby Steiner, fresh off her 2022 graduation, showed she’s still got that UK speed, cruising into Friday’s 200-meter semis with a 22.29.
In the field events, Andrew Evans proved his discus skills haven’t dulled since his 2014 graduation. His 214’3″ heave was good for second in qualifying, setting up a shot at Olympic glory on Saturday.
Not every Wildcat had their day in the Oregon sun. Micaela Hazlewood and Sha’keela Saunders saw their Olympic dreams put on hold in the discus and long jump, respectively. But in the world of track and field, today’s setback is tomorrow’s comeback story.
The Bluegrass State’s impact isn’t limited to American soil, either. UK volunteer coach Devynne Charlton locked up her spot in Paris, taking gold in the 100-meter hurdles at the Bahamian Trials.
With more UK stars set to compete tomorrow, including hurdle specialists Keni Harrison and Masai Russell, the Wildcat contingent in Eugene is far from finished. Keep your eyes on Hayward Field, folks – there’s more blue and white magic coming down the track.
Event Schedule
| June 27 | Time | Round | Status |
| Women’s Discus Throw | FINAL | 7. Micaela Hazlewood-Lewis ’19: 193’4”/58.93m | |
| Men’s 110mH | Semifinals | 3. Daniel Roberts ’19: 13.11Q | =SB | |
| Women’s 200m | First Round | 3. Abby Steiner ’22: 22.29Q | SB | |
| Women’s Long Jump | Qualifier | 13. Sha’keela Saunders ’17: 21’0.50”/6.41m (+1.8) | |
| Men’s Discus Throw | Qualifier | 2. Andrew Evans ’14: 214’3”/65.31m (q) | |
| Women’s 400mH | First Round | 1. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (2017-18): 53.07Q | SB | |
| June 28 | Time | Round | Status | TV |
| Women’s 100mH | 8:28 p.m. | First Round | Keni Harrison ‘15Masai Russell ‘23 | Peacock/USA |
| Women’s 200m | 10:06 p.m. | Semifinals | Abby Steiner ‘22 | NBC/Peacock |
| Men’s 200m | 10:28 p.m. | Semifinals | Kennedy Lightner | NBC/Peacock |
| Men’s 110mH | 10:50 p.m. | FINAL | Daniel Roberts ‘19 | NBC/Peacock |
| June 29 | Time | Round | Status | TV |
| Men’s Discus Throw | 7:30 p.m. | FINAL | Andrew Evans ‘14 | Peacock |
| Women’s 100mH | 8:04 p.m. | Semifinals | Keni Harrison ‘15Masai Russell ‘23 | NBC/Peacock |
| Women’s 200m | 8:27 p.m. | FINAL | Abby Steiner ‘22 | NBC/Peacock |
| Women’s 400mH | 8:41 p.m. | Semifinals | Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (2017-18) | NBC/Peacock |
| June 30 | Time | Round | Status | TV |
| Women’s 100mH | 8:00 p.m. | FINAL | Keni Harrison ‘15Masai Russell ‘23 | NBC/Peacock |
| Women’s 400mH | 8:29 p.m. | FINAL | Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (2017-18) | NBC/Peacock |
Event Results
| June 21 | Round | Status | |
| Women’s Hammer Throw | Qualifier | 20. Kate Powers: 206’7”/62.98m | |
| Men’s 400m | First Round | 8. Kennedy Lightner: 45.17Q | PR22. Brian Faust ’23: 45.58Q | |
| Men’s Javelin Throw | Qualifier | 10. Ethan Shalaway ’18: 231’1”/70.44m(Q) | |
| Women’s 400m | First Round | 6. Alexis Holmes ’22: 51.05Q24. Jania Martin: 52.12q | |
| Men’s Pole Vault | Qualifier | 4. Keaton Daniel: 18’8.25”/5.70m | |
| Women’s 100m | First Round | 10. Celera Barnes ’21: 11.06Q (+0.4)17. Abby Steiner ’22: 11.13Q (+0.4)18. Javianne Oliver ’17: 11.15Q (+0.9) | SB | |
| June 22 | Round | Status | |
| Women’s High Jump | Qualifier | T-1. Charity Hufnagel: 6’0”/1.83m (q) | |
| Women’s 100m | Semifinals | 10. Celera Barnes ’21: 11.12 (+0.4)22. Javianne Oliver ’17: 11.31 (+0.4)Abby Steiner – scratched | |
| Men’s 100m | First Round | 14. Ronnie Baker (Vol. Coach): 10.15 (-0.1)Q | |
| Women’s 400m | Semifinals | 6. Alexis Holmes ’22: 50.19q | PR22. Jania Martin: 52.34 | |
| June 23 | Round | Status | |
| Men’s Pole Vault | FINAL | 4. Keaton Daniel: 19’1”/5.82m | PR | |
| Men’s 100m | Semifinals | 11. Ronnie Baker (Vol. Coach): 9.98 (+2.6) | |
| Men’s 400m | Semifinals | 15. Brian Faust ’23: 45.4127. Kennedy Lightner: 47.88 | |
| Men’s Javelin Throw | FINAL | 12. Ethan Shalaway ’18: 202’6”/61.73m | |
| Women’s 400m | FINAL | 3. Alexis Holmes ’22: 49.78 | PR | |
| June 24 | Round | Status | |
| Women’s Discus Throw | Qualifier | 6. Micaela Hazlewood-Lewis ’19: 195’0”/59.44m (q) | SB | |
| Men’s 110mH | First Round | 4. Daniel Roberts ’19: 13.14 (+1.2)Q | |
| Women’s High Jump | FINAL | 1. Charity Hufnagel: 6’4.25”/1.94m | PR | |
