American Record: Kevin Young, 46.78
2007 U.S. Champion: James Carter, 47.72
2004 Olympic Trials Champion: James Carter, 47.68
Top 5 Seed Times
1.) James Carter, 47.72
2.) Kerron Clement, 47.79
3.) Michael Tinsley, 48.02
4.) Bershawn Jackson, 48.13
5.) Kenneth Ferguson, 48.15
James Carter’s resumé points to him as the probable winner in the 400-meter hurdles, and his top-seeded time is the fastest for an American in the past two years. Last year, he won the 400m hurdles in New York, Paris, Lausanne and the Drake Relays. However, Kerron Clement owns the year’s fastest time, with fourth-seeded Jackson running the second-fastest time. Clement’s time leads five Americans whose times this year rank in the top 10 in the world.
It will be interesting to watch how Carter’s experience – fourth-place finishes at the past two Olympics – competes with his age, 30. Clement, 7 years younger, and Jackson, 5 years younger, have the inside track to Olympic spots, but watch out for Michael Tinsley, the 2006 NCAA champion from Jackson State whose personal best came at last year’s U.S. Outdoor Championships.
Jackson will be running for his first Olympic team after finishing fourth at the 2004 Olympic Trials.
Kenneth Ferguson comes into the meet with the world’s seventh-fastest mark, while Justin Gaymon is ranked fifth-best with his time of 48.53 seconds.