So close no more, Dior Hall breaks national mark in 60m hurdles

A national record for the 60-meter hurdles has been on Dior Hall’s “Bucket List” this season. Prior to the New Balance Nationals, she’s come close on several different occasion.

On Sunday, she finally got it done.

The senior from George Washington, Colo., was nearly flawless over the hurdles from the second the smoked cleared the starter’s pistol and broke the tape with a meet and national mark of 8.11 seconds. Hall smashed the existing record of 8.16 by Tennessee’s Jackie Coward in 2008.

“It’s amazing to finally break the record,” she said. “I give glory and honor to God because without him I wouldn’t have been able to break the record. It’s been an up-and-down season for me so it feels amazing to actually conquer (it).”

Finishing second behind Dior was Queenie Dale of Saline, MIch., who was timed in 8.35. Taking third was sophomore Alexis Duncan of Desoto, Texas, at 8.37.

Hall was a little surprised when she saw the digital numbers on the clock.

“I actually thought I didn’t get (the record),” she said. “I was amazed. I didn’t think I actually ran that fast. I thought I ran like 7.20s, and I was like here we go again.”

Hall, a silver medalists in the 100m hurdles at World Youth Games this past summer, is eyeing another milestone for the outdoor season.

“For me, it’s to go under 13 seconds (in the 100m hurdles),” she said. “That’s my biggest goal this year.”