Morgan Herbst Outlasts Jasmine Robinson To Run 55.78 In 400 Hurdles; Makenna Herbst Cruises To 800 Win In 2:02.48

By Lori Shontz for DyeStat

 Becky Holbrook photos

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EUGENE — Morgan Herbst went into her 400-meter hurdles race Friday at the USATF U20 Outdoor Nationals with a simple strategy: “My strength lies in that first 200, and I knew I had to push it,” she said. “And not give even an inch to the other competitors.”

About 15 minutes later, her twin sister, Makenna, went into the 800 meters with an identical approach: “I went out a little aggressive for the first 200, but it felt leisurely, it felt light and comfortable, so that’s all right.”

They finished the same, too, dominating their competition to win USATF U20 titles in their respective events.

Morgan broke her personal record for the second consecutive day, running 55.78 to win the 400 hurdles by more than a second and a half over Georgia state champion and standout Jasmine Robinson. Herbst became the fifth-fastest high schooler ever in the event.

Makenna won the 800 by nearly five seconds over Addyson Abner with a time of 2:02.48. Makenna is 14th fastest all-time in the 800. 

And they pulled off this double just three weeks after they each won titles in their events at the CIF State Finals, with each running a personal best.

“This is what Makenna and I set out to do,” said Morgan, who ran 39.64 for the 300 hurdles in the CIF finals. “This is the biggest stage I can compete on, so the fact that I pulled everything that I wanted off feels amazing.”

Makenna, who said she ran 2:13 for the 800 as a freshman and gradually improved to run her PR of 2:02.28 to win the CIF state final, then nearly matched that time Friday despite having no competition, was thrilled at the way her senior season has gone.

“This has been definitely one for the book – not just my book, but THE book,” she said.

The victories capped a long season for the twins, who are ready for a break. That’s going to involve the beach, hanging out with friends and some ice cream, at least for Morgan, who said she hasn’t eaten sugar in four months.

And then it’s back to training to prepare for their freshman year at Arkansas, a school they picked because they believe the coaching staff is strong in both of their main events.

“I want to be in the LA 2028 Olympics,” Morgan said. “I know I have a small countdown, like three years, so I was really looking for the coaches who can get me there – if not LA 28, then the next four years.”

The men’s 800 race was also compelling.

A year ago, Camerin Williams’ experience at U20s was bittersweet. He made the final of the 800 as a high schooler … but he finished seventh, one step from the podium. His goal: come back the next year and win.

“I took it as a lesson instead of a loss,” he said. “I was in sixth place, and I eased up at the line and got seventh. I took it as a lesson to go hard to the line, even when you’re not winning.”

Williams, a freshman at High Point University (N.C.) went hard to the line on Friday, and it paid off – he won the U20 national title with a time of 1:46.81, just ahead of high schooler Lucien Bone, who finished in US#3 1:46.87.

The lesson this time? “Be humble about it and continue to work hard,” Williams said. “It was my freshman year in college, and I didn’t make it to NCAAs. I was in Oregon this weekend instead of last weekend – that didn’t go as expected.”

But his later-than-he-wanted trip to Hayward paid off. “It was really nice,” he said.

Bone became the third high school boy this season to go under 1:47 in the 800, which is unheard of.

In the other women’s track events, Mia Maxwell won the 200 in 23.10 and sister Mariah was second in 23.36.

Braelyn Baker of Duke won the 400 in 51.78.

High school senior Zariel Macchia won the 1,500 in 4:21.53 and also finished third in the 3,000, a day after third place in the 5,000.

Ella White from UNC-Charlotte won the women's 3,000 in 9:19.94, also doubling back from Thursday's 5,000. 

Joslyn Hamilton of South Carolina won the 100 hurdles in 13.36.

Clemson freshman Jalen Johnson won the 200 in 20.43 seconds,

Texas high school standout Jonathan Simms won the 400 in 45.44.

Brendan Herger, a freshman at Michigan, won the 1,500 in 3:48.77.

Brennan McEwen, who anchored his Mount Tabor TC (Franklin OR) teammates to a Thursday victory in the distance medley relay, won the men's 3,000 in 8:22.98,

U.S. high school learder Ja’shaun Lloyd (AP Ranch TX) won the 110 hurdles in 13.31.

Another high schooler, Kendrick Joshua, won the 400 hurdles in 50.53.

In the women’s field events, Zoey Brinker won the high jump at 5-9.25 (1.76m) after six women cleared the same height.

Ava Kitchings won the long jump at 20-00.25 (6.10m).

Abigail Russell of Michigan won the shot put at 52-08.75 (16.02m).

In the men’s field events, Texan Etoro Bassey won the high jump at 7-1.50 (2.17m),

Stanford freshman Xavier Drumgoole won the triple jump with 52-4.75 (15.97m).

Jackson Cantwell stepped up to the 6-kilogram implement and won the shot put at 69-8 (21.23m). Only two other high school throwers have thrown farther with the junior shot.