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


Frisco Heritage graduate Bailey Lear has been through it all. You name it, she has seen it, but she is about to see a different level and that could lead to even bigger things.

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. 

Lear came into the meet with a state season leading 53.34 and a 53.02 PR. One of Lear's goals have been to run faster and faster. going sub 53.0 was the next step for her. Last week, at the Brooks PR meet, she ran a 54.01 for one of her slowest times of the year.


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.

400 Meter Dash

RANKTIMEATHLETE/TEAMGRADEMEET DATEPLACE
152.40
Carrollton Smith
2012
252.46
Fort Bend Marshall
2006
352.65
Lancaster
2003
452.92
Houston Westside
2010
553.01
Austin Eastside Memorial
2003
653.02
Frisco Heritage
2018
753.29
Clear Brook
2008
853.32
Plano Prestonwood Christian
2016
953.34
Waco University
2013
1053.48
Houston Westside
2005