Georgia sophomore Torrin Lawrence runs 400m in 45.03 at Tyson Invitational

Georgia sophomore Lawrence runs 400m in 45.03

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Georgia sophomore Torrin Lawrence ran the fastest time in the world this year in the 400 meter dash Friday, finishing his heat in 45.03 seconds at the Tyson Invitational at the University of Arkansas.

Lawrence narrowly edged out Florida senior Calvin Smith in the heat. Smith’s time of 45.98 seconds was the third-fastest time in the world this year. The times were the two fastest in the NCAA this year.

“My coach told me to get out of the 200 faster than I usually do,” Lawrence said. “I was trying to push the pace. I didn’t know how close behind me he was so I was just trying to run fast to get to the break and it carried me through the whole race.

“This feels awesome. I really don’t know what to say right now. It’s kind of an overwhelming experience.”

The time was a personal best for Lawrence, breaking his mark of 46.18 seconds at last year’s Tyson Invitational.

“I like this track,” Lawrence said.

Team USA sprinter Wallace Spearmon Jr. was penciled in to run the 400 but was a late scratch. The Fayetteville native is still scheduled to run the 60 meter dash later Friday and the 200 on Saturday.

Spearmon finished third in the 200 meters at the world championships in Berlin last summer.