Olympic viewing party planned for Union Catholic hurdling sensation
Union Catholic Regional High School graduate Sydney McLaughlin, who smashed the world record in the 400-meter hurdles at the U.S. Olympic Trials last month, will begin her quest to win the gold medal in that event when she runs in the opening round at the Olympics in Tokyo this Friday.
Union Catholic, located in Scotch Plains, will be hosting a viewing party for the race from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday. The 21-year-old became the favorite to win the gold when she became the first woman to ever run under 52 seconds in the 400 hurdles when she ran a blistering world record 51.90 at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
McLaughlin, a 2017 graduate of Union Catholic who stunned the track and field world when she made the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team as a 16-year-old student at Union Catholic, is scheduled to race in the opening round on Friday, which begins at 8 p.m. McLaughlin will be aiming to advance to the semifinals, which are scheduled to begin on Monday at 7:35 a.m. The final is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 3.
Viewing Party Details
EVENT: Olympic Viewing Party – Women’s 400m Hurdles Round 1
DATE: Friday, July 30
TIME: 6 to 9 p.m. (Estimated race time 8:30 p.m. EDT)
LOCATION: Union Catholic front lawn
OPEN TO: All who want to cheer for Sydney McLaughlin and Team USA! Students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, family, and the general public.
SEATING: Bring your own chair and/or blanket and find your spot on the front lawn.
FOOD & DRINK: Food trucks will be on-site to purchase BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheesesteaks, ice cream, soda, and more. You may bring your own food.
BEER GARDEN: Beer, wine, and spiked seltzer will be available for purchase. Please bring ID.
GAMES & PRIZES: Fun for all ages!
PARKING: Will be available on the Union Catholic campus.
A LOOK AHEAD: Sydney’s Estimated Olympic Race Schedule
Semifinals – Monday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 a.m.
Final – Tuesday, Aug. 3 at 10:30 p.m.
Additional viewing celebrations are planned.
Featured image of Sydney McLaughlin courtesy of USA Track & Field.
This article originally ran on the Union Catholic athletics news page and was reprinted with permission. To learn more about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Newark, visit https://catholicschoolsnj.org/.
