The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
IAAF World Junior Outdoor Championships
Baisden wins 400m at World Junior Track and Field Championships
07.25.2014 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Freshman claims gold by clocking a time of 51.85 in Friday’s final
2014 IAAF WORLD JUNIOR OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
• When: Tuesday, July 22 - Sunday, July 27 - Meet Information
• Where: Eugene, Ore. (Hayward Field)
• Entries: U.S. entries
• Results: Click here
• Broadcast/Web Stream: Universal Sports will provide coverage. Click here for the schedule
Updated: July 26, 2014, 5:30 p.m. CT
EUGENE, Ore. – Kendall Baisden gave further notice Friday night why is considered one of the top young quarter-milers in the world.
The Texas freshman won gold in the final of the 400 meters at the IAAF World Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships by crossing the finish line in 51.85 seconds.
She held off Gilda Casanova of Cuba, who challenged Baisden on the final turn at Oregon's Hayward Field, but ended up second in 52.59. Olivia Baker was third in 53.00, giving the Americans two of the top three finishers.
Baisden, who was third in the 400 at last month's NCAA Outdoor Championships, also held at Hayward Field, entered the meet as the favorite and delivered. Her personal-best time of 50.46 at the 2014 Big 12 Outdoor Championships was first on the 2014 world junior list and fifth all-time on the world junior performer's chart.
She clocked a time of 52.52 in Thursday's semifinal, winning heat two and posting the second-best overall mark of the round. Baisden had the top time (53.28) in Wednesday's prelim.
This marked the second-straight 400m U.S. junior title by a current Longhorn. Junior Ashley Spencer, who spent her first two seasons as the University of Illinois, won the 400-meter crown in 2012 while with the Illini.
Baisden is also expected to compete in Sunday's 4x400-meter relay final. She is in the pool for that event, but did not participate in Saturday's prelim that saw the U.S. team post the top time - 3:32.73. Baisden ran a leg on the winning 4x400m relay unit at the 2012 IAAF World Junior Championships.
The six-day meet ends Sunday and features athletes who will be less than 20 years old on Dec. 31, 2014.
