Before heading to the Philadelphia leg of the Grand Slam Track, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was firmly in the lead for the season championship. She had already secured two Slam titles in the long hurdles category from the Kingston and Miami stops. In Philly, all she needed to do was stick to her signature event, claim another victory, and head to Los Angeles with everything on track. But Sydney chose a different path. In Philadelphia, she stepped away from her usual race and entered the women’s short hurdles category. The results? Surprising. And it certainly has many people talking…
On the opening day of the Philly Grand Slam Track, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone finished fifth in the 100m hurdles. She took the result in stride, describing the race as “so ballistic,” and shifted her focus to the next day’s competition—the women’s 100m dash, marking her professional debut in that event. This was her first professional flat 100 m since running 11.07 s for Kentucky back in 2018—a debut far beyond her usual 400m hurdles comfort zone, making it one of her toughest tests yet. Finally, Sydney placed second, finishing just 0.09 seconds behind Ackera Nugent, the reigning Slam champion. Question to be asked: How did she manage such success in disciplines that neither define her nor are part of her usual routine? Anderson Emerole and SCA track and field coach Rob set out to uncover the answer.
In the latest episode of Coach Rob’s YouTube podcast from June 26, the duo explored the topic in depth. After closely analyzing Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s performances, both agreed on one key point—it all comes down to her legacy. As Rob put it, “Everything she [Sydney] does at this point is just adding to her legacy. That’s all she’s doing. If she walked off the track today and said, ‘I’m done,’ we’re still going to be talking about it for a long time. For a long time.” Rob also drew a comparison between SML and NFL legend Barry Sanders, who once reigned supreme in his field, conquering every challenge thrown his way. Similarly, the four-time Olympic gold medalist is currently enjoying a run of dominance that’s nothing short of extraordinary.
Credit: Instagram/ Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
According to both Anderson Emerole and Coach Rob, the Grand Slam Track (GST) gave Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone the perfect stage to explore different events beyond her specialty. But what about the upcoming World Athletics Championships and her signature 400m hurdles? The duo had no doubts about her dominance there. Emerole even suggested that Sydney is on track to claim her third individual Olympic gold. Yet, more significant than her medal count is the impact she brings to the sport. Coach Rob described it as “Usain Bolt energy.”
Coach Rob remarked, “Sydney changed her event, and I think we’ve accepted that for what it is.” He explained that, much like Usain Bolt, Sydney elevated the standards for many. Now that she’s made her mark in the 400m and even the 100m, both Rob and Emerole believe she should take on the Open events to truly cement her legacy. Would winning a gold medal be enough to seal that legacy? Can Sydney actually pull it off? Well, if her career so far is any indication, she hasn’t stopped astonishing the track and field world yet.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone acts on what she thinks
“I’m going to put my best foot forward, I’m going to execute well and compete hard. But whatever the result it has no bearing on my peace.” That’s how Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set the tone ahead of the Philadelphia stop of the Grand Slam Track series. Calm. Centered. Intentional. And yet, boldly stepping into uncharted waters—the 100m dash.
In a light-hearted pre-race chat with Tiara Williams, Sydney showed zero signs of pressure, only clarity of purpose: “I’m trying to evolve. I’m trying to be the next best version of me.” She wasn’t just running a new race—she was chasing growth, embracing challenge, and stepping up to face the best of the best. And as the track world now knows, her performance in the 100m was nothing short of electric. But the journey doesn’t stop there.
Now, as the season charges ahead, Sydney’s gearing up for another bold chapter. On July 5, the pride of New Jersey is set to make her debut at the Prefontaine Classic—this time in the 400m flat. And here’s where things get exciting: in the past two seasons, she’s flirted dangerously close with Sanya Richards-Ross’ American record of 48.70 seconds. In 2023, she clocked 48.74. In 2024, she was just a whisker behind again at 48.75. So what will 2025 bring?
Credit: Instagram/ Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
Will this be the moment Sydney finally writes her name into the record books of yet another event? Will we witness history at Hayward Field? One thing’s for sure: when Sydney steps onto the track, nothing is ever off the table. Keep your eyes on the clock—and your breath held. This could be one for the ages.
The post Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Toughest Career Difficulty Displayed by US Track & Field Analysts appeared first on EssentiallySports.