McLaughlin Named National and SEC Athlete of the Week

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky track and field freshman Sydney McLaughlin was named USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week and Southeastern Conference Runner of the Week on Tuesday following an unparalleled outdoor season debut at the Florida Relays.

McLaughlin produced the nation leading, to say nothing of being historic, times in the 200 meters, 400m and 4x400m relay.
 
On Thursday, McLaughlin won the 200 in 22.39 that gave her the early-season NCAA lead by a large margin made all the more impressive that her time was one of the few atop the rankings that came with a legal wind at her back (1.5 meters/second).
 
McLaughlin upped the ante one day latter running 50.07 in the 400m in rainy conditions, which stands as the third fastest time in collegiate outdoor history and left her as the second fastest performer all-time in the event collegiately (2016 The Bowerman winner Courtney Okolo has the No. 1 and No. 2 all-time marks at 49.71 and 50.03).
 
She then split 49.45 on the third leg of UK’s nation-leading 4×400m relay, which ran a school record 3.23.92.
 
This was the first time in program history that a Kentucky women’s team member was named National Athlete of the Week during the outdoor season. McLaughlin earned the honor twice during this past indoor season.
 
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