Dunellen athlete Sydney McLaughlin has added two more awards to her list of recognitions.
The USA Track & Field Association (USATF) named the Olympian and world junior record holder Youth Athlete of the Year. She will be honored, along with eight-time 2016 WMA gold medalist Irene Obera who was chosen to be Masters Athlete of the Year, on Saturday, December 3, at the Jesse Owens Awards in Orlando, Florida.
“This has been the most incredible year of my life,” McLaughlin told USATF. “I couldn’t have achieved what I did this year without the constant support and guidance of my parents, my brother, and my coach and teammates. I’d like to thank USATF for this amazing honor, as well as all the fans who voted for me.”
McLaughlin and fellow countryman Noah Lyles were selected by numerous sports journalists as the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) junior athletes of the year.
The seventeen-year-old Union Catholic senior recently announced her intention to attend the University of Kentucky next year. However, she is currently concentrating on getting ready for the Winter Indoor Track and Field season. Practices started last week.
"You know Kentucky's a basketball school" 🏀🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/dEQwYNvezf
— Sydney McLaughlin (@GoSydGo) November 15, 2016