The 23 years old sprinter and hurdler Sydney McLaughlin seems to be born to become an athlete. The young woman qualified for her very first Olympic Games in 2016. She turned the heads of several people worldwide with an increasing number of accolades to her name. But who are Sydney McLaughlin’s parents?
The young athlete is ready to win more championships, and people are now curious about her family. So let’s know more about her!
Basic Information
Full Name | Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone |
Professional Name | Sydney McLaughlin |
Birth Date | 07-Aug-99 |
Birth Place | New Brunswick, New Jersey |
Gender | Female |
Sexuality | Straight |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | African-American |
Religion | Christian |
Marital Status | Married |
Husband | Andre Levrone Jr. |
Profession | American Hurdler and sprinter |
Coached by | Bob Kersee |
Events | 400 m hurdles, 400 m |
Body Stats
Height in m | 1.75 m |
Height in cm | 175 cm |
Height in inches | 5 Feet 9 inches |
Weight in Kg | 60 Kg |
Weight in pounds | 132 lbs |
Eye Color | Black |
Hair Color | Brown |
Family
Father’s Name | Willie McLaughlin |
Mother’s Name | Mary Neumeister McLaughlin |
Siblings | Taylor McLaughlin (Brother) |
Morgan McLaughlin (Sister) |
Educational Background
School Name | Union Catholic Regional High School in Scotch Plains |
University Name | NA |
Qualifications | NA |
Social Media Accounts
sydneymclaughlin16 | |
GoSydGo | |
Sydney McLaughlin | |
Youtube | Sydney McLaughlin |
Who are Sydney McLaughlin’s Parents
Syndey McLaughlin hails from Dunellen, New Jersey. She was born on 7 August 1999. Sydney McLaughlin’s parents, Willie and Mary, come from impressive backgrounds that make her destined to be an amazing athlete.
The young athlete’s father, Wille, qualified as a semi-finalist at the 1984 Olympic Trials. On the other hand, her mother was a runner who specialized in the 400 m and 800 m. In addition, her brother bagged a silver in the 400 m hurdles at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships.
McLaughlin is a Christian by faith. On 28 August 2021, her hometown named a running track at Columbia’s Park for MacLaughlin in Dunellen, New Jersey.
But Sydney took her family’s achievements a notch higher. She won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and got a world record to her name.
Sydney was academically gifted. Besides her academics, she took up running at an early age. As a child, she looked up to her older brother and sister, who both had a knack for running track. Her childhood curiosity made her into a great athlete and got her an impressive career today!
How and when Her parents met each other
In 1979, Sydney’s parents met each other at Manhattan College, where her father, Willie, was a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame as a three-time All-American. They met each other as students.
When Mary McLaughlin arrived at Manhattan College, there was no women’s track team present in the college. So, Mary decided to become the manager of the men’s track team, where she met Willie.
Career
In 2016, Sydney McLaughlin qualified for her very first Olympic Games. She was about 16 years old when she competed in the Rio Games. This young athlete quickly broke the women’s 400m hurdles in her second Olympics in Tokyo. She finished in 51.90 secs creating a new record!
Many agree that McLaughlin has the potential to create history as the youngest athlete. She qualified third in the US national trials. Unfortunately, she finished 16th overall and could not make it to the finals. However, what caught people’s attention at that time was her age. No one but her was able to make it to the USA track team since the 1980s.
Indeed, she could not bag a medal as a 16-year-old. But that did not make the spectators give up on her. On the contrary, she gained fans who believed in her as a young star in the making.
And later, in 2019, she proved her worth and fulfilled all the expectations of her fans! She then won a silver in the 400 m hurdles World Championships in Doha.
Her Achievements
In 2014, she finished second, close behind Shamier Little, in the 400 meters hurdles at the National Junior Championships. Her finishing time was 55.63 seconds, a new high school freshman record.
Her time was incredible enough to make her qualify for the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships. Unfortunately, she was too young at that time. That summer, McLaughlin went on to create a world record in her age group in the 100 m hurdles (13.34 secs).
McLaughlin forfeited her eligibility as a professional athlete to compete in college a year after Kentucky in 2018. Later in the year, she signed a contract with New Balance in October.
New Balance decided at $1.5 million as an annual base pay after a bidding war.
She hired William Morris Endeavour, which generally represents Hollywood artists. But she decided to do things differently. So instead of traditional agents for athletes, she decided to hire someone different!
Bob Kersee, a controversial coach, is McLaughlin’s trainer. However, Bob has a great success rate with female athletes.
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McLaughlin’s Husband, Boyfriend, and Whom She Is Dating Now?
McLaughlin and former NFL player Andre Levrone Jr. got married in Madison, Virginia. They got engaged in August 2021, soon after which they decided to tie the knot.
Andre Levrone Jr. is a 2017 University of Virginia alumni. Sydney McLaughlin’s husband, Andre Levrone, spent parts of three seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver before leaving the league.
Levrone and McLaughlin announced their engagement on 25 August 2021 in the Scottsdale Four Seasons Resort. On 5 May 2022, they got married at Early Mountain Vineyards in Madison, Virginia.
Her Breakdown after winning gold at Tokyo Olympics
Apparently, Sydney had an ugly breakdown soon after bagging gold in Tokyo. She was 21 at that time. She could not stop her tears in front of the camera. This incident took place almost two months after the Tokyo Olympics.
She had to immerse her faith in God to overcome her trying times. She felt heartbroken when people subjected her success to the followers on social media. In spite of seeing her hard work every day, people thought it was only her light-skin color that got her success.
She poured her heart out in front of the camera, expressing how upset it makes her when people fail to acknowledge her hard work. The young champion rebuilt her faith in God to overcome her fame’s toxicity.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Sydney McLaughlin married?
Yes, she is married. McLaughlin and former NFL player Andre Levrone Jr. got married in Madison, Virginia.
2. Who is Sydney McLaughlin’s boyfriend?
McLaughlin dated the former NFL player Andre Levrone Jr and got married recently.
3. What is the complete name of Sydney McLaughlin’s father and mother?
Her father is Willie McLaughlin, and her mother is Mary Neumeister McLaughlin.
4. What is the profession of Sydney McLaughlin’s parents Willie and Mary?
Willie is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame as a three-time All-American at Manhattan College and was also a semi-finalist in the 400 meters at the 1984 Olympic Trials.
On the other hand, Mary was a 2:12 Half-miler at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Tonawanda, New York.
5. What is Sydney McLaughlin’s age?
Sydney McLaughlin was born in August 1999. So currently, she is 23 years old.
6. What is Sydney McLaughlin’s Net Worth?
American hurdler and sprinter Sydney McLaughlin’s current net worth is $2 million.
Conclusion
Sydney McLaughlin was always destined to become a fine athlete. Her family background ensured her future. But, of course, her hard work speaks for itself. However, her parents played a great role in inspiring the athlete she is today. She is successful and has proved her worth multiple times.