Merritt: World's Second-Fastest Indoor Sprinter Ever
February 12, 2005 | Men's Track and Field
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- East Carolina freshman LaShawn Merritt posted the third-fastest indoor 400-meter time in world history, making him the second-fastest man ever indoors, Friday evening at the Powered by Tyson Invitational.
With his performance, Merritt (18) became the second-fastest indoor 400-meter runner in history and the owner of the third-fastest time ever. USA Track & Field's 2004 Verizon Youth Athlete-of-the-Year, Merritt came through 200 meters in a blazing 21.04 seconds, then crossed the finish line in 44.93 seconds.
The time is slower than only the legendary Michael Johnson's world record of 44.63, set in 1995, and Johnson's 1996 time of 44.66. However, it is the fastest time ever run by a junior (19-and-under) athlete indoors and also established a new NCAA, Conference USA and East Carolina record.
With his success in Fayetteville, Merritt bettered his own 2005 world leader time of 45.94 by more than a full second and took another giant step toward making him the next great American teen sensation. Merritt won three gold medals at the 2004 World Junior Championships, including the 400 meters (45.25) and anchoring Team USA to world junior records in the 4x100 (38.66) and 4x400m (3:01.09) relays.
"I knew coming in that I could run 45, and I knew this was the fastest track in the country," Merritt said. "I wanted to set my race up. When I came in (the final turn), I knew no one was around, and I just wanted to finish strong. I knew the field was full of Olympians, and I was the only collegiate athlete. I wasn't going to back down. I wanted to set the pace, and that's what I did."
Merritt defeated notables such as 2003 U.S. indoor champion Bershawn Jackson (45.70), Olympic 4x400m relay gold medalist Andrew Rock (46.01) and reigning world indoor title-holder Alleyne Francique (46.16) during the event.
