Arman Hall proved today he is not just the best 400 meter runner in Florida, not just the best in the USA... he is the best youth quarter-miler in the world! The St. Thomas Aquinas rising senior won gold at the IAAF World Youth Championships in France this afternoon with a 46.01 performance. That is a new personal best and places him #3 All-Time by a Florida high schooler, behind Xavier Carter and Geno White (the only two to ever go under 46).
After the race Hall said: “I wanted to run even faster, but I PR’d and I’m happy I won – what else could I ask for! All I saw was the finish line and I wanted to get there first. I worked hard for this and God got me here, he is great!”
Meanwhile, Robin Reynolds was battling hard with Shaunae Williams of The Bahamas down the stretch, but hit the wall with only steps to go. She finished with a season-best 52.72, but fell just off the medal stand in 4th place. Miller went on to win in 51.84, which is the first ever gold-medal for our island neighbors to the east.
Athlete Profiles: Arman Hall | Robin Reynolds | Shaunae Miller (Bahamas)
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PRESS RELEASE VIA USATF
Hall wins 400m gold at World Youth Championships
LILLE, FRANCE – Arman Hall won the boys’ 400m in convincing fashion in a time of 46.01 to win gold and further secured Team USA’s spot atop the medal count on day three of the 2011 IAAF World Youth Championships.
At the end of day three, the U.S. leads the medal count with two gold, three silver and two bronze, for a total of seven medals. China sits in second place, with three medals.
Afternoon Session
In the boys’ 400m final Arman Hall (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) started strong and continued to push the effort as he made his way around the track. He stormed down the homestretch pulling away from the rest of the field to win by more than half a second in 46.01. Hall’s gold medal performance also gives him the fastest time in the world by a youth this year.
Unfortunately, the U.S. girls’ were unable to replicate Hall’s performance. Robin Reynolds (Miami, Fla.) was in good position on the final stretch battling with Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas. However, Reynolds appeared to hit a wall three meters before the finish line, and as her form broke down she faded to fourth. Reynolds’ effort was good enough for a season best performance of 52.72. Kendall Baisden (Franklin, Tenn.) finished sixth in 53.01.