Richards Sets New American Junior Record in 400 Meters

PALO ALTO, Calif.--Sanya Richards has another title to add to her impressive collection. Today at the USATF Junion Nationals Richards set the new American junior and high school records in a time of 50.69 for the 400 meters. The recent graduate of Florida\'s St. Thomas Aquinas High School did so by beating out the former holder of those records, Monique Henderson of UCLA (Henderson set the record last year in 50.74 in the final of the Olympic Trials).

\"They (the conditions) are way better today. I was so happy the sun was out and there was a little wind blowing,\" Richards said, \"I knew it was going to be a tough race, because I knew of Monique\'s capabilities, but I\'ve been working hard for it, and I knew I could do it if I just stayed focused and ran a good race.\"

With Richard\'s high school career nearing its end, she will look forward to this fall when she will be attending the University of Texas. Richards, who only recently won her American citizenship, is a likely candidate for the 2004 US Olympic Team. Last week Richards won national titles in the 100m and 200m championships at the Adidas Outdoor Championships.

Ricahrds and Henderson will represent the USA at the World Junior Championships on July 16-21 in Jamaica, Richard's native country.