Bailey Lear Joins Texas' Elite With 52.75 At USA Jr.

Lear has been at the top then had it taken away and then back again this season.

Today, she took a big step even for her as she qualified for the USATF Jr. finals in the 400m. 

This week, she bounced back at the USATF Jr. Outdoor Championships. Lear dropped a 52.75 in the second heat of the prelims. She placed second in her heat behind the Colorado graduate and state champion Arria Minor.

Her time makes here the fifth best qualifier heading into tomorrow's finals. Lear, who is usually the fastest runner in every race she is in usually is the pacer for those races. Last week, at Brooks, she was in an outside lane and took the entire field out as they keyed on her passing her at the 300m mark. She could have a lane two draw tomorrow putting all of the fastest qualifiers right in front of her, setting up for a good finals opportunity.

Her time of 52.75  now pushes Lear up the Texas All-Time list (per MileSplit era times). She now joins the top five and four Texas 400m legends in the 52 club.

Lear has the finals tomorrow, and will get the chance to go for the gusto. She could qualify for Team USA and she could also go for a 51.x to join Brandi Cross as the only Texas girl to run 51 in the open 400m.

Texas A&M freshman and McKinney North graduate Julia Madubuike has had a stellar freshman season. She also qualified for tomorrow's final with her 52.98. Madubuike was a multi All-State sprinter at McKinney North and now has a chance to make Team USA.