East Regional NJ Junior Runs No. 8 All-Time 55.99 To Break Meet Record In 400 Hurdles, Returns For 2:03.90 800-Meter Split On Relay

By Emma Zawatski for DyeStat

Photos by John Nepolitan and Tavan Smith

PHILADELPHIA - Natalie Dumas battled her way to a meet record and No. 8 all-time performance in the girls 400-meter hurdles Friday at New Balance Nationals Outdoor at Franklin Field.  

The junior from Eastern Regional High in Vorhees, New Jersey, is establishing herself as one of the most dominant high school runners in history.  With bests of 51.87 in the 400 meters, 55.99 in the 400 hurdles, and 2:02.75 in the 800, Dumas is the only high school athlete ever ranked in the top 20 all time in all three events.

Her weekend is not over just yet.  She is entered in four events - the 400 hurdles, sprint medley relay, 400 meters and 800 meters.

She anchored her team to second place in the SMR with an 800 split of 2:03.90.

“This was my biggest event that I was most worried about because we have such strong competitors today," Dumas said after the 400 hurdles. 

Among those competitors was Florida signee Sydney Sutton from Bullis School MD, who finished second in 56.04 — making her the ninth-fastest in high school history. Dumas and Sutton brought the crowd at Franklin Field to its feet in the final 100 meters. 

Coming off the last hurdle of the race, the two were stride-for-stride.

“She had the advantage, but I made sure that I had that hard kick at the end,” Dumas said.

Sutton dug deep for one final surge to the finish line, but it wasn't enough to outkick Dumas.  The duo both ran under the previous meet record of 58.27, set by Myla Green of Bullis in 2022.  

With her most stressful race out of the way, Dumas has decided to enjoy the rest of her weekend.

“Im extremely proud of already getting this title so i'm just excited to come out here and have fun,” Dumas said. 

About two hours after running the hurdles race, Dumas returned to the track for the championship SMR.

Dumas took the baton in sixth place and quickly weaved her way through runners to give Eastern Regional TC their best chance at winning the national title.   

Doing everything she could to fight the lactic acid building in her legs, Dumas finished three seconds behind Rumson-Fair Haven NJ's Clemmie Lilley, who crossed the line in a meet record time of 3:50.10.

Dumas' anchor pushed Eastern Regional TC under the previous meet record of 3:54.96 set by Motor City TC in 2024.  Teammates Johnna Gonter, Jasmine Davies and Samantha Osei-Kyei helped the team run 3:53.15. 

With another year to go, what else can Dumas do before she graduates?

“I truly think if I get my form better, because overall the race wasn't the best form-wise, I can run faster. And that's kinda what my goal is next year," Dumas said, speaking specifically of the hurdles.

Dumas is already being compared to the greatest 400 hurdler of all time, fellow New Jerseyan Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Earlier this season at the NJSIAA Sectionals meet, Dumas tied the four-time Olympic gold medalist’s 400-meter state record with 51.87.  

Dumas will race the 400 meters on Saturday afternoon.  It will be a rematch between Dumas and Sutton, and it includes  2024 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier and University of Texas signee Elise Cooper.  The meet record of 52.41, set by Adaejah Hodge in 2023, is in jeopardy.  

Finally, Dumas is set to make her final bow in the championship 800 on Sunday. This will be no easy feat with competitors including New Balance Nationals Indoor champion Emmry Ross and 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier Sadie Engelhardt pining for the national championship.