Sydney McLaughlin is going to college, and in a mild surprise, it seems like she'll be competing there. Jim Lambert of the ​Newark Star-Ledger​ reported tonight that McLaughlin is going to compete for Kentucky, in part because she was drawn by the presence of 100 meter hurdles world record holder Keni Harrison. Harrison is still coached by Kentucky coach Edrick Floreal, and has expressed interest in possibly switching to the 400 hurdles--McLaughlin's signature event--in the future.

McLaughlin could have easily turned pro--her relay splits rank her among the best flat 400m runners in high school history, and her 54.15 400H at the Olympic Trials was a world junior record. She was eliminated in the semifinals at the Olympics, but was still the youngest American track Olympian in over 40 years.​

She was 16 when she qualified at the Olympic Trials, and 17 when she competed at the Olympics. McLaughlin is a senior at Union Catholic in New Jersey.

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