Just 24 hours before lining up for her first professional 100m race, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone had already felt the heat from Ackera Nugent. The Jamaican sprint hurdler blazed to a phenomenal 12.44s in the 100m hurdles on Day 1 of Grand Slam Track, outpacing Sydney and then confidently declaring: “I feel like knowing that she’s [Sydney] going to come back with that competition mindset, I feel like it will push me a lot more.” Did it rattle Sydney? Not even close.
In a relaxed pre-race interview with Tiara Williams, Sydney showed no signs of pressure, just purpose: “I’m trying to evolve. I’m trying to be the next best version of me.” She was all set to “ do the hard things and go up against the best of the best.” And on the penultimate day, Sydney showed her capability in the women’s 100m event.
On June 1, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone may have finished behind Ackera Nugent in her professional 100m debut, but the performance was full of reasons to celebrate. She clocked 11.21 seconds (+0.1 m/s)—just 0.09 seconds off Nugent’s winning time. Remarkably, this was Sydney’s first 100m race since 2018, back in her college days. However, in preparation, she had only a few sessions with Trayvon Bromell to fine-tune her block starts before stepping into the Grand Slam Track arena. Despite that, she managed to outpace established 100m sprinter Ditaji Kambundji, making her debut nothing short of impressive. Meanwhile, track and field fans quickly took notice of the standout moments from her performance.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone runs 11.21 to finish second to Ackera Nugent in her pro 100m debut!pic.twitter.com/03x7ihBfEM
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) June 1, 2025
They lined up on X to share their takes on the event. One such comment went, “Sydney as a 400hurdler running 11.21 is actually insane.” Call it a loss on paper—but Sydney’s debut was a win for the sport. And if this is what she looks like after just a few practice starts? The best version of her might be coming faster than anyone expected. And creating magic in the events apart from her trademark 400m hurdles is not so uncommon in the Olympian’s story.
Last year, ahead of the Paris Olympics, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone claimed victory over Gabby Thomas at the Los Angeles Grand Prix. Gabby, who specializes in the 200m, finished sixth with a time of 22.68 seconds. Interestingly, this marked only their second head-to-head meeting—the first being at the 2023 NYC Grand Prix, where Sydney won the 400m in 49.51 seconds, just ahead of Gabby’s 50.29. In L.A., Sydney stepped into Gabby’s signature event, the 200m, and still came out on top. Yet, what stood out most was that later in the season, Gabby went on to win gold in the women’s 200m, while Sydney opted not to compete in the event. Therefore, trying out a different event and mastering it is not new for Sydney. However, her fans have an idea about those parts of the story.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone earns flowers despite losing the race
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is redefining what it means to be versatile on the track. After her 100m debut at Grand Slam Track—an eye-popping 11.21 seconds—fans were left stunned, inspired, and maybe even a little confused.
“This is wild. The best female 400mh we’ve ever seen running a 100m at 11.2…love her challenging herself,” one fan commented. But this wasn’t just some off-the-cuff experiment. Sydney had been quietly laying the groundwork for something big.
Back in early May, she opened her season with a world-leading time in the 400m hurdles—her signature event. But she didn’t stop there. Within weeks, she had dropped sharp performances in the 100m hurdles and the flat 100m, showcasing a range that few in track and field even dare to attempt. So, when another fan wrote: “Sydney has another event she will become great in.” …it didn’t sound like wishful thinking. It felt like a glimpse into what might be next.
Could the 100m be that new frontier? Possibly—but there’s a catch. Consistency will be the key. Just last year, Sydney sparked curiosity with a few promising runs in the 200m, only to quietly step away from the event. Fans are hopeful this 100m debut is the beginning of a longer journey. But even if it’s not, what she’s done already is remarkable.
Let’s count the events she’s taken seriously at one point or another: 100m, 100 hurdles, 200 m, 400m relays, 400m flat, and 400m hurdles. That’s practically the entire sprint catalog. “Omg is there any race she can’t do??? #GoSydGo,” someone wrote, echoing what everyone was thinking.
Of course, track fans will always find a way to keep it real—and funny. One summed it up with a bit of humor: “She’s such a 400m runner man lol. Her form is just a quarter form. But she ran a damn good time for her first one!” Quarter-miler or not, Sydney is proving that greatness isn’t tied to a single lane. Whether it’s one straightaway or a full lap with hurdles, she shows up, locks in, and performs. And the most exciting part? She’s only just getting started.
The post Everyone Is Saying the Same About Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone as She Suffers Major Setback at Grand Slam Track appeared first on EssentiallySports.
