Canadian 400m hurdler Savannah Sutherland of Borden, Sask., is taking the next big step, signing a professional deal with Adidas Running.
The 21-year-old broke the news to Citius Mag on Friday, saying she’s “thankful and excited” to begin her pro career representing the three-stripes brand.
Sutherland has had a breakout year, highlighted by a seventh-place finish in the 400m hurdles final at her first Olympics last August. She also won her second NCAA title and broke the U.S. collegiate record in the event with a time of 52.46 seconds, a mark that also lowered her Canadian record and moved her to No. 9 on the world all-time list.
In doing so, she broke Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s NCAA record of 52.75 from 2018. Sutherland and McLaughlin-Levrone remain the only two NCAA athletes to have run under 53 seconds in the event.
Her Canadian record time is also the third-fastest in the world this year, trailing only McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol, two of the fastest 400m hurdlers in history.
Adding to her accolades, Sutherland was recently named one of three finalists for the Bowerman Award, presented annually by the USTFCCCA to the top male and female collegiate track and field athletes in the U.S. Only three Canadian men have ever won the award; if Sutherland takes the honour, she would become the first Canadian woman to do so. She’s also the first University of Michigan track and field athlete to be named a finalist.
Sutherland will continue training at the University of Michigan under her long-time coach, Steve Rajewsky.
With her NCAA career behind her, Sutherland’s sights are on the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Japan in just two months, where she’s poised to be a major contender for Team Canada in the 400m hurdles event.
Get to know Savannah Sutherland, 400m indoor Canadian record holder
