Savannah Sutherland, the 21-year-old hurdles sensation, has been on a remarkable run for the past year, smashing records and achieving milestones. However, she is currently taking a break from her rigorous training schedule for the Canadian nationals and world championships. She is back in her hometown of Borden, Sask., reconnecting with her family and embracing a new role as an aunt since February.
After a whirlwind year that included her Olympic debut in Paris and a stellar performance at the NCAA outdoor championships where she clinched her second NCAA title in the women’s 400-metre hurdles with a record-breaking time of 52.46 seconds, Sutherland is now enjoying a slower pace of life. Her remarkable feat not only surpassed her own Canadian record but also set new records at the NCAA Championship meet, Big Ten, and NCAA levels, placing her among the elite in the sport.
Sutherland, who is one of only two women in NCAA history to break the 53-second barrier in the 400m hurdles alongside Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, expressed her awe at being mentioned in the same breath as the legendary athlete. The young Canadian’s confidence received a significant boost after her Olympic final appearance last season, propelling her to new heights in her career.
Acknowledging the pivotal role her hometown of Borden played in her journey, Sutherland highlighted the unwavering support she received from the tight-knit community. Growing up in a small village where everyone rallied behind her, she felt a sense of duty to represent her community on the global stage, motivating her to push boundaries and achieve remarkable success.
Sutherland’s track and field career began by following in the footsteps of her older brother and gradually transitioning to hurdles, a discipline she initially hesitated to pursue. However, her natural talent and determination propelled her to excel in the 400m hurdles, carving her own path to success in the sport. With her eyes set on the upcoming world championships in Tokyo, Sutherland remains focused on making progress and aiming for a higher finish than her previous year’s performance.