Track and field fans are witnessing an exciting trend as elite athletes step beyond their signature events. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol have tested themselves in the flat 400m and 800m, while Rai Benjamin has explored the 200m and flat 400m outside his 400m hurdles specialty. Now, Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall is joining the movement—and she just made a triumphant return to an event she hasn't competed in for nearly five years.
On May 8 at the Ward Haylett Invitational in Manhattan, Kansas, Davis-Woodhall lined up for the women's 100m hurdles for the first time since 2021. Despite a -1.0 headwind at R.V. Christian Track, the long jump gold medalist powered to victory in 12.99 seconds—a full second ahead of runner-up Michenainda Aritus (13.91) and third-place finisher Dekenya Webb (14.70).
The performance clearly sparked joy. Davis-Woodhall took to Instagram with a celebratory post captioned, "Well that was fun, let's do it again!" She had previously shared her enthusiasm for the challenge, writing, "Honestly enjoying the hurdles so much. Getting out of my comfort zone and learning my body so much."
This isn't a casual experiment. Davis-Woodhall explained her strategy: "I've used the hurdles to get stronger and faster. This season is all about growth and moving forward. Excited for the season to start." And for good reason—hurdles are woven into her athletic DNA.
Before dominating the long jump, Davis-Woodhall was a dual threat in high school. She set a national record of 13.01 seconds in the 100m hurdles and a California state record of 12.95. In her final high school meet at the 2017 CIF California State Championships, she won the 100m hurdles, long jump, and triple jump—clocking a wind-aided 12.83 in the hurdles. While the +3.7m/s wind kept it from being an official record, it remains one of the fastest high school hurdle performances ever.
For fans of versatility and raw athleticism, Davis-Woodhall's return to the hurdles is a thrilling reminder that the best athletes never stop reinventing themselves. Whether she's soaring through the air or flying over barriers, this champion is proving her range—and having fun doing it.