Latest news with #SavannahSutherland
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sutherland, Morales Williams among Canadians to hit qualifying times for track worlds
Canada's Savannah Sutherland, shown in this 2024 file photo, won the women's 400m on Sunday at the Edmonton Athletics Invitational, and hit the world standard in the process. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press - image credit) Several Canadian track athletes achieved world championship-qualifying times this weekend, ahead of this summer's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Three of those marks were set on Sunday at the Edmonton Athletics Invitational, with Savannah Sutherland and Christopher Morales Williams recording season-best times, while Audrey Leduc bettered her own national record. Advertisement Sutherland, the Borden, Sask., native who's had an incredible season in the women's 400-metre hurdles, won the 400 flat on Sunday in 50.62 seconds, clearing the world standard of 50.75. The 21-year-old finished her collegiate career by setting a new NCAA record in the 400m hurdles in June, and on Friday, Sutherland announced she signed a pro contract with Adidas. Leduc, of Gatineau, Que., had already matched the women's 100m standard of 11.07 at a meet in Baton Rouge, La., in late April, but she ran a new personal-best 10.94 in Edmonton during a qualifying heat. That also bettered her own Canadian record by one-hundredth of a second. The 29-year-old also won Sunday's final with a time of 11.06. Advertisement Morales Williams, of Vaughan, Ont., won the men's 400m event at Foote Field in 44.85 seconds, equalling the world standard. Two other Canadians hit their respective world standards earlier in the weekend. On Friday, Toronto's Gabriela DeBues-Stafford finished her women's 1,500m race in 4:01.19 at the Morton Games in Dublin. The next day, Matthew Erickson, of Nelson, B.C., reached the mark in the men's 800m, running to a personal best of 1:44.49 at the Sound Running Sunset Tour in L.A.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canada's Savannah Sutherland is moving fast and breaking records
Canada's Savannah Sutherland now holds both the Canadian and NCAA record in the women's 400-metre hurdles. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters - image credit) For the last year, Savannah Sutherland has been moving fast and breaking records. But for the next week, the 21-year-old hurdles phenom is taking a well-deserved break from preparing for Canadian nationals and the world championships. She's in her hometown of Borden, Sask., spending time with her family – and working on a new role. Advertisement "I'm an aunt as of February," Sutherland told CBC Sports. "My nephew [is] about five months old now, so that's really special to me. Family is huge to me." It marks a slower pace than Sutherland had been operating at for the past year. That started with her Olympic debut last summer in Paris and wrapped up with a spectacular performance to end her collegiate career with the University of Michigan at last month's NCAA outdoor championships. Sutherland captured her second NCAA title in the women's 400-metre hurdles by running a record-breaking time of 52.46 seconds at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Not only did she better her own Canadian record (53.08), it was also an NCAA Championship meet record, a Big Ten record, and a new NCAA record. It was also the ninth-fastest time ever recorded in the event. Advertisement The previous NCAA best of 52.75 was set in 2018 by two-time Olympic champ – and current world No. 1 – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Sutherland and McLaughlin-Levrone are the only women's runners in NCAA history to break 53 seconds, and the Canadian is still coming to terms with being in such exclusive company. "Obviously, Sydney's the greatest to ever do it, so, it's kind of surreal to just have my name mentioned in the same conversations as hers, honestly," Sutherland said. "I don't think that that will ever fully sink in." Sutherland has already shared the track with McLaughlin-Levrone, when the Canadian reached the final in her Olympic debut, finishing seventh. That race marked another record-book moment for Sutherland, becoming the youngest-ever Canadian to reach an Olympic track final. Advertisement Records aside, making that final opened Sutherland's eyes to her own growing potential. "I think making the Olympic final last season really boosted my confidence," Sutherland said. "I think that that was the big difference this season, just knowing that the ceiling is higher than I expected it to be." "When I made the Paris Olympics, it sent the message to me that, today, no matter who's on the track, I belong there, I've earned my spot there because I've competed at the highest level. But now that I'm ninth all-time – typically there's nine lanes on the track – so now it's like whoever's on the track, I have earned my spot there." Not long after breaking McLaughlin-Levrone's record, Sutherland was named the NCAA's women's outdoor track athlete of the year. That made her Michigan's first athlete to ever earn a national honour in track and field. Advertisement "Michigan is definitely more of a distance [running] school, historically," she said. "You know, Saskatchewan isn't really a big track place either. So, I kind of have always been from a place where maybe it was a little bit more difficult, or maybe you had to work a little harder, drive a little farther, or compete indoors for a longer amount of time, than other places. "So [I] just kind of leaned into that and it kind of felt familiar in that sense." WATCH | Sutherland on NCAA record, going pro ahead of Tokyo worlds: Hometown support 'pushed me to the next level' Sutherland grew up in the village of Borden, which is about 50 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. The population only numbers about 300 and Sutherland credits the "tight-knit community" with helping her get to where she is today. Advertisement "Everybody knows everything that goes on in each other's life – which can be both a blessing and a curse at times – [but] for me it was mostly a blessing because I always had the support of the entire community behind me," Sutherland said. "I think that it was a driving factor because it pushed me to want to represent these people that I know are supporting me. I think it just pushed me to the next level, knowing that I was running for everybody else and accomplishing all of these things for the entire community and not just myself." While she was aware of track and field sports from small meets in elementary school, Sutherland really took the first steps in her career by following in the footsteps of her older brother, Cole. "He's five years older than me, and I really looked up to him and was chasing after him in a lot of aspects," Sutherland said. "So, I would find myself enrolled in the sports that he was passionate about. I did volleyball as a result of that, then he also did track and ended up winning provincials one year as a discus thrower. Advertisement "And I said, 'hey, that's pretty cool. I want to try and do that.'" It was at a high school track meet in 2016 where a coach from a neighbouring town noticed Sutherland's raw talent and approached her with an offer. "[He] said, you know, 'hey, you're pretty fast. You should check out this track camp in the summer.' And I did, and then it ended up being selections for Team Saskatchewan," she said. "I ended up going and being selected for U16 nationals and doing the [100], the [200], the [300], and then both relays." The 13-year-old Sutherland made the final in the 100 at that event, but was mostly memorable for her because it was when she bought her first pair of track spikes and learned how to use the starting blocks. Advertisement Sutherland wasn't immediately drawn to the event she's now known for, but her talent was undeniable. "Yeah, hurdles in general was something that I didn't really want to do," she said with a laugh. "First, my coach [Lee Wolfater] told me to just check it out. So, I was very hesitant. "He said, 'we'll do it for two meets. And if it goes horribly, you never have to see a hurdle ever again in your life.'" Sutherland won both of those races in Saskatoon and would see many, many hurdles again, as she began to specialize in the 400m hurdles. It wasn't long until both Sutherland siblings made their mark in Saskatchewan track and field, evidence of which is still visible in their high school gymnasium. Advertisement "Now it's funny because our provincial banners are hanging next to each other on the wall of the gym," she said. "That's pretty special. I would definitely say [my brother was] the driving factor." Canada's Savannah Sutherland is shown in this 2023 file photo while competing in the women's 400m hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. (File/AFP via Getty Images) Her brother and parents still live in Borden, but Sutherland has a tangible connection to her family when she runs, in the form of a silver St. Christopher necklace. That "lucky necklace" is around Sutherland's neck every time she races, and she said it serves as a reminder of why she competes. "I look at it every time I'm in the blocks and just remind myself who I'm running for and why I'm doing what I do." Advertisement World championships on the horizon Sutherland's 2025 season will continue with a few more meets, including Canadian nationals, before culminating with September's world championships in Tokyo, where her goal is clear. "Honestly, [I'm] trying to keep my expectations low. [The] first thing is to make the final like I did last year," she said. "It's a super competitive event, right now and I feel like anything can happen, especially when there's hurdles involved. So I'm just kind of trying to keep my head on straight and hopefully finish higher than I did last year. "Just as long as I'm making forward progress, I think that's enough for me."
CBC
05-07-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canada's Savannah Sutherland is moving fast and breaking records
For the last year, Savannah Sutherland has been moving fast and breaking records. But for the next week, the 21-year-old hurdles phenom is taking a well-deserved break from preparing for Canadian nationals and the world championships. She's in her hometown of Borden, Sask., spending time with her family – and working on a new role. "I'm an aunt as of February," Sutherland told CBC Sports. "My nephew [is] about five months old now, so that's really special to me. Family is huge to me." It marks a slower pace than Sutherland had been operating at for the past year. That started with her Olympic debut last summer in Paris and wrapped up with a spectacular performance to end her collegiate career with the University of Michigan at last month's NCAA outdoor championships. Sutherland captured her second NCAA title in the women's 400-metre hurdles by running a record-breaking time of 52.46 seconds at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Not only did she better her own Canadian record (53.08), it was also an NCAA Championship meet record, a Big Ten record, and a new NCAA record. It was also the ninth-fastest time ever recorded in the event. The previous NCAA best of 52.75 was set in 2018 by two-time Olympic champ – and current world No. 1 – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Sutherland and McLaughlin-Levrone are the only women's runners in NCAA history to break 53 seconds, and the Canadian is still coming to terms with being in such exclusive company. "Obviously, Sydney's the greatest to ever do it, so, it's kind of surreal to just have my name mentioned in the same conversations as hers, honestly," Sutherland said. "I don't think that that will ever fully sink in." Sutherland has already shared the track with McLaughlin-Levrone, when the Canadian reached the final in her Olympic debut, finishing seventh. That race marked another record-book moment for Sutherland, becoming the youngest-ever Canadian to reach an Olympic track final. Records aside, making that final opened Sutherland's eyes to her own growing potential. "I think making the Olympic final last season really boosted my confidence," Sutherland said. "I think that that was the big difference this season, just knowing that the ceiling is higher than I expected it to be." "When I made the Paris Olympics, it sent the message to me that, today, no matter who's on the track, I belong there, I've earned my spot there because I've competed at the highest level. But now that I'm ninth all-time – typically there's nine lanes on the track – so now it's like whoever's on the track, I have earned my spot there." Not long after breaking McLaughlin-Levrone's record, Sutherland was named the NCAA's women's outdoor track athlete of the year. That made her Michigan's first athlete to ever earn a national honour in track and field. "Michigan is definitely more of a distance [running] school, historically," she said. "You know, Saskatchewan isn't really a big track place either. So, I kind of have always been from a place where maybe it was a little bit more difficult, or maybe you had to work a little harder, drive a little farther, or compete indoors for a longer amount of time, than other places. "So [I] just kind of leaned into that and it kind of felt familiar in that sense." WATCH | Sutherland on NCAA record, going pro ahead of Tokyo worlds: Savannah Sutherland on NCAA record, going pro ahead of Tokyo worlds 2 days ago Duration 7:36 Hometown support 'pushed me to the next level' Sutherland grew up in the village of Borden, which is about 50 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. The population only numbers about 300 and Sutherland credits the "tight-knit community" with helping her get to where she is today. "Everybody knows everything that goes on in each other's life – which can be both a blessing and a curse at times – [but] for me it was mostly a blessing because I always had the support of the entire community behind me," Sutherland said. "I think that it was a driving factor because it pushed me to want to represent these people that I know are supporting me. I think it just pushed me to the next level, knowing that I was running for everybody else and accomplishing all of these things for the entire community and not just myself." While she was aware of track and field sports from small meets in elementary school, Sutherland really took the first steps in her career by following in the footsteps of her older brother, Cole. "He's five years older than me, and I really looked up to him and was chasing after him in a lot of aspects," Sutherland said. "So, I would find myself enrolled in the sports that he was passionate about. I did volleyball as a result of that, then he also did track and ended up winning provincials one year as a discus thrower. "And I said, 'hey, that's pretty cool. I want to try and do that.'" It was at a high school track meet in 2016 where a coach from a neighbouring town noticed Sutherland's raw talent and approached her with an offer. "[He] said, you know, 'hey, you're pretty fast. You should check out this track camp in the summer.' And I did, and then it ended up being selections for Team Saskatchewan," she said. "I ended up going and being selected for U16 nationals and doing the [100], the [200], the [300], and then both relays." The 13-year-old Sutherland made the final in the 100 at that event, but was mostly memorable for her because it was when she bought her first pair of track spikes and learned how to use the starting blocks. Sutherland wasn't immediately drawn to the event she's now known for, but her talent was undeniable. "Yeah, hurdles in general was something that I didn't really want to do," she said with a laugh. "First, my coach [Lee Wolfater] told me to just check it out. So, I was very hesitant. "He said, 'we'll do it for two meets. And if it goes horribly, you never have to see a hurdle ever again in your life.'" Sutherland won both of those races in Saskatoon and would see many, many hurdles again, as she began to specialize in the 400m hurdles. It wasn't long until both Sutherland siblings made their mark in Saskatchewan track and field, evidence of which is still visible in their high school gymnasium. "Now it's funny because our provincial banners are hanging next to each other on the wall of the gym," she said. "That's pretty special. I would definitely say [my brother was] the driving factor." Her brother and parents still live in Borden, but Sutherland has a tangible connection to her family when she runs, in the form of a silver St. Christopher necklace. That "lucky necklace" is around Sutherland's neck every time she races, and she said it serves as a reminder of why she competes. "I look at it every time I'm in the blocks and just remind myself who I'm running for and why I'm doing what I do." World championships on the horizon Sutherland's 2025 season will continue with a few more meets, including Canadian nationals, before culminating with September's world championships in Tokyo, where her goal is clear. "Honestly, [I'm] trying to keep my expectations low. [The] first thing is to make the final like I did last year," she said. "It's a super competitive event, right now and I feel like anything can happen, especially when there's hurdles involved. So I'm just kind of trying to keep my head on straight and hopefully finish higher than I did last year. "Just as long as I'm making forward progress, I think that's enough for me."
Global News
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Saskatchewan track star reflects on breaking Canadian, NCAA hurdles records
In her already illustrious track and field career, Savannah Sutherland hasn't been left speechless too many times before. On Saturday in Eugene, Ore., however, she found herself trying to find the right words after making NCAA history and throwing down one of the fastest times in women's 400 metre hurdles history. 'Even after a couple of days to reflect I think it still feels pretty surreal,' said Sutherland from the University of Michigan campus on Wednesday. 'It's definitely going to take a while to settle in.' Sutherland's trophy case continues to grow, as the Borden, Sask., product returned to the top of the podium at NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with the Michigan Wolverines. Stepping out onto the track for the final race of her collegiate career, Sutherland blew away the competition and captured her second NCAA title in three years. Story continues below advertisement 'Coming down the home stretch I heard so much cheering,' said Sutherland. 'I didn't know if that meant that I was running fast, or if someone was coming up behind, or if I was in the lead. I don't know, I had no idea what it meant.' 'I just knew that I let it carry me through the finish as much as I could.' Crossing the finish line in 52.46 seconds, it was the best time of Sutherland's NCAA career and set numerous records as just the second collegiate runner to ever eclipse the 53-second mark in the event. The 21-year-old was able to best her previous Canadian record of 53.26 seconds which was set at last year's NCAA Outdoor Championships, crossing the line eight-tenths of a second faster. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy That wasn't the only history Sutherland was able to achieve, as she set the new NCAA standard by breaking the 2018 record time of 52.75 seconds set by then-University of Kentucky star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. 'That feels really, really special,' said Sutherland. 'It's hard to put into words and I don't think it's fully even sunk in yet. Of course, Sydney is the best to have ever done it.' Since setting the NCAA's record in 400 metre hurdles seven years ago, McLaughlin-Levrone has become one of the sport's greatest competitors winning gold medals at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics and recording a new world record time of 50.37 seconds in Paris last summer. Story continues below advertisement 2:03 First-time Olympian Savannah Sutherland leaning on support from hometown of Borden Eclipsing a record previously held by one of her idols, Sutherland said it's one of the most surreal achievements of her young career. 'So many people look up to her,' said Sutherland. 'The fact that my name is even in the same conversations as hers is very humbling and something that I never would have predicted would have happened.' Sutherland's victory in Oregon also serves as a bit of redemption after settling for a silver medal at the 2024 NCAA Championships, despite setting a new personal best time. The gold medal also comes on the heels of a breakout showing last summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Sutherland would come home with a seventh-place finish in her Olympic debut. Not only was Sutherland able to gain confidence in racing against the best hurdlers on the planet, she also became the first Canadian since Rosey Edeh in 1996 to reach the event's final heat — a result that allowed the Saskatchewan track star to believe she can compete with anyone in any race. Story continues below advertisement 'The fact that I earned my spot there kind of solidified in my mind that no matter who is on this track, no mater what lane I'm in, no matter who else is out here… I deserve my spot and I've earned it,' said Sutherland. 'I belong here just as much as everybody else.' Sutherland's mark of 52.46 over the weekend has also become one of the fastest times in the sport's history, ranking ninth all-time in 400 metre hurdles competition. Meanwhile, her name continues to extend outwards from her small town community in Borden to the rest of Canada and beyond. 'Honestly that support is what carries you through the days that maybe you're tired and you don't want to show up to the track,' said Sutherland. 'You do it anyways because you're representing these people and you're running for something bigger than yourself at the end of the day.' Named Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Women's Athlete of the Year for her showing at NCAA Championships, Sutherland now will begin her professional racing career with her sights set on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Savannah Sutherland lowers NCAA and Canadian women's 400m hurdles marks in 4-record effort
Savannah Sutherland's performance Saturday for the University of Michigan was nearly 3-10ths of a second faster than U.S. Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's collegiate record of 52.75. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters - image credit) University of Michigan hurdler Savannah Sutherland of Borden, Sask., set four records Saturday on the final day of competition at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships in Eugene, Ore. The 21-year-old achieved marks for her school, NCAA, NCAA Championship meet and Canada, crossing the finish line in 52.46 seconds to beat Akala Garrett (54.66) of Texas in the 400-metre event. Sutherland's previous national record time of 53.26 stood since last June 8. Advertisement Saturday's performance was nearly 3-10ths of a second faster than U.S. Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's collegiate record of 52.75. Sutherland and McLaughlin-Levrone are the only women's runners in NCAA history to break 53 seconds. Sutherland, who placed seventh in the Paris Olympic final last Aug. 8, also tied world champion Femke Bol for the world lead this season, behind only McLaughlin-Levrone (52.07). On Friday, Sutherland started strong and maintained her lead throughout the race, extending her advantage in the one-lap race with each clearing of the 10 hurdles, for her third consecutive top-two finish in the event at NCAA Championships. She finished fourth in her 2022 freshman year. Advertisement On May 18, Sutherland won her third straight title at the Big Ten Championships in Eugene, taking each round by over two seconds. The top-ranked NCAA athlete in women's 400m hurdles made history last summer in Paris. At 21, Sutherland was the youngest member of the Canadian track and field team to reach an individual Olympic final and Canada's first woman to reach a 400m hurdles final since the 1996 Atlanta Games.
