The youngest member of the United States track and field team was among the three Americans who qualified for the semifinals in 400-meter hurdles Monday in Rio.
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McLaughlin placed fifth in her heat with a 56.32 but was able to sneak into Tuesday’s semis with the 20th best time overall. Ashley Spencer (55.12) and Dalilah Muhammad (55.33) also qualified in second and fourth, respectively.
McLaughlin set a world junior record by running a 54.15 at U.S. team trials last month, so there’s room for her to improve while vying for a spot in Thursday’s final.
The New Jersey high school phenom is the youngest U.S. track athlete to compete in the Games since 1972.
