The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

GOLD COAST, Australia -- Katrina Seymour lowered her national record, but her time of 55.69 seconds was just shy of the eighth and final spot for the final of the women's 400 metre hurdles set for Thursday night at the XXI Commonwealth Games.

The 25-year-old, making her second appearance at the games, had making the final as one of her goals here at the Carrara Stadium.

But she will settle for a personal best time that lowered her previous national record of 56.86 that she set in Greensboro in 2016.

"I came here with the intention of running a personal best and making the final," said Seymour, who was fourth in the first of two heats. "I didn't get into the final, but I was pleased with my performance."

Jamaica's Ristananna Tracy beat out Seymour at the tape for third place in 55.66 for the eighth and final spot. Seymour was the mix of the field through the first half of the race.

Going onto the final bend, she slipped behind. But coming down the home stretch, she turned the heat on, only to run out of real estate at the end.

"I have been working on my start and pace my position in the race," Seymour said. "But I knew that I have the ability to come back, so I tried. I hope I can get into the final because that is one of my goals here."

Despite not getting in, Seymour said she was just delighted to be here and competing at the international level again. She was 19th in her first Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, so she was definitely pleased to have moved up the ladder here in her second games.