Sanya Richards' 50.69 takes down Monique Henderson's record
by John Dye
This year's 400 meter queen, Sanya Richards FL,
(left) went for a double against last year's queen, UCLA
freshman Monique Henderson, the HS record holder
and a 2000 US Olympian, and Richards was clearly best. As if it
wasn't enough to lose the record, Monique Henderson (right)
had to view it from the next lane. Richards topped Henderson's 50.74
set in the California state meet 2 years ago. Henderson's runner-up
51.52 also beat the old Junior Nationals meet record.
"The 400 record was my goal at the start of the season, but
I wasn't sure it would come today." Sanya said afterward. "Sometimes
you just run to win, not for time." A Jamaican native who recently
obtained US citizenship, Richards will now return to her home town
of Kingston, Jamaica next month running for Team USA in the World
Junior Championships. Asked if she would have mixed emotions, Sanya
said firmly, "No. I made my decision."
Richards |
Before the race, both runners
had their game faces on.
Henderson
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. . . . they're off
Richards |
Henderson |
Stretch - As they
came out of the turn, Richards had a slight edge, which grew
steadily to the finish.
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Sanya and Monique
shake hands after the race
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Hook 'em Horns! - That's what
Sanya answered when the track announcer asked if she was going
to the University of Texas next year, and she must have learned
the hand signal on her campus visit.
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Sanya Richards
draws athletic talent from both her parents. Mom Sharon (below)
ran the 100, 200, and 400 in high school, same as Sanya, "but
don't ask me my times," she said. Dad Newton, better
known as Archie, was a top soccer player and coach.
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Women 400 Meter Dash
================================================================
World Junior: W 49.42 1991 Grit Breuer (GDR)
American Jr.: A 50.74 2000 Monique Henderson
Meet: M 51.96 1999 Monique Henderson
WJr Qual.: ! 54.64
Name Year Team Finals
================================================================
Finals
1 Sanya Richards StThomAquina 50.69A
2 Monique Henderson UCLA 51.52M
3 Christina Hardeman ACSTC/CA 53.72!
4 Deonna Lawrence Alex VanDyke 53.74!
5 Diane Anderson CO Flyers 54.26!
6 Lauren Austin Yng. Achiev. 54.30!
7 Keisha Gaines Stockdale HS 54.60!
8 Ashley Freeman Unattached 55.77
9 Deborah Jones Benson HS/OR 56.06
Prelims
High school record holder Monique Henderson, a
freshman at UCLA, served notice she is not ready to relinquish her
prep crown without a fight as she posted the fastest qualifying
time in 53.10. This year's prep sensation, Sanya Richards
FL, who ran 51.68 this year, was second fastest in 53.98..
Event 133 Women 400 Meter Dash
===================================================================
9 Advance: Top 2 Each Heat plus Next 3 Best Times
World Junior: W 49.42 1991 Grit Breuer (GDR)
American Jr.: A 50.74 2000 Monique Henderson
Meet: M 51.96 1999 Monique Henderson
WJr Qual.: ! 54.64
Name Year Team Prelims H#
===================================================================
1 Monique Henderson UCLA ! 53.10Q 3
2 Sanya Richards StThomAquina ! 53.98Q 1
3 Christina Hardeman ACSTC/CA 54.67Q 2
4 Deonna Lawrence Alex VanDyke ! 54.57Q 1
5 Ashley Freeman Unattached 54.92Q 2
6 Diane Anderson CO Flyers 55.70Q 3
7 Keisha Gaines Stockdale HS 55.05q 2
8 Lauren Austin Yng. Achiev. 55.22q 1
9 Deborah Jones Benson HS/OR 55.51q 2
10 Sheena Davidson George Mason 55.75 3
11 Brandi Probasco-Canda Benson HS/OR 56.60 1
12 Shakara Lott Alex. Light 56.77 3
13 Kathleen Smyth Unattached 56.91 3
14 Raynisha Bragg Fresno St. 57.36 2
15 Christine Moschella Stanford 57.67 2
16 Cameron Washington Marlborough 58.15 2
17 Lauran Dignam Kailua AA 58.54 1
18 Nicole Carmier Alex VanDyke 59.66 1
USA Junior Nationals Event Index
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