Hurdles champ Tommy Murdock competes at famed Oregon track

Tommy Murdock hasn't slowed down since capturing twin state hurdles titles in ­Yakima last month.

A week after graduating from La Conner High School, Murdock competed in an elite national meet at historic Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Murdock, who collected five state gold medals as a La Conner hurdler, took part in the 2024 Nike Outdoor Nationals and USA Track & Field U20 Championships on the same track where the U.S. Olympic Trials will be held starting Friday.

Hayward Field has over the course of a century become the nation's most storied track and field venue and has been home to legends since its inception.

The highlight for Murdock on the Hayward oval was running the 400-meter hurdles for the first time, clinching his heat with a thrilling come-from-­behind dive at the tape. He was clocked at 55.40, placing him 20th overall in a large field that featured top talent from around the country for the June 12-15 event.

In La Conner, Murdock ran the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, dominating the Washington State 2B ranks with a rare combination of sprinter's speed and hurdling form. He has signed a letter of intent for 2024-25 with Spokane Falls Community College, whose track and field alumni includes La Conner High School head track coach Peter Voorhees.