UNDERSCORING his intent of making it back to the Olympics, veteran Fil-American Eric Shawn Cray clocked a season-best of 49.86 seconds yesterday (Saturday in the US) in the men’s 400-meter hurdles to bag the bronze medal in the tough Mt. SAC Relays at the Hilmer Lodge Stadium in Walnut, California.
In a tight three-way race, Cray, 35, finished third behind American James Smith II (49.27) and David Kendziera (49.31), who took first and second, respectively, for his second podium finish after taking the bronze at the Miramar Invitational in Miramar, Florida two weeks.
“49.86 seconds for third at Mt. SAC. Just warming up,” said the 2016 Rio Olympian, who improved on his time of 50.18 seconds in the Florida competition and bolstered his current No. 38 ranking in the World Athletics Olympic qualifying ratings in an event where 40 Olympic quota places are at stake.
Cray has a personal best of 48.98 seconds in the event, just slightly off the entry standard of 48.70 seconds, but this was recorded eight years ago in Moratalaz, Madrid.
