Intro:

Allyson Felix took a surprise victory in the women's 400 metres at the US Athletics Track and Field Championships in Eugene on Saturday (27th June) with this year's world leader Francene McCorory missing out of the World Championships after fading into fourth.

Script:

The United States Athletics Track and Field Championships continued in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday with only the first three in each final qualifying for the World Championships in Beijing in August.

Jenna Prandini showed no hangover from her disappointment in Friday's 100 metres final as she ran a personal best of 22.18 seconds in the heats of the 200 metres.

Shamier Little was the fastest qualifier in the 400 metres hurdles in 54.14 seconds.

She is the only woman to duck under 54 seconds this year and she is the one to beat in Sunday's final.

In the first track final of the day, Emma Coburn proved a class apart in the 3000 metres steeplechase.

She finished well clear in nine minutes 15.59 seconds, the second fastest time in the world this year.

Bershawn Jackson charged home late to win his fifth national championship in the 400 metres hurdles, 12 years after his first title.

The 32-year-old won in 48.29 seconds, ahead of long-time leader Johnny Dutch and Kerron Clement who qualifies for Beijing to keep alive his hopes of a third world crown.

Matthew Centrowitz will bid to take win gold in Beijing to add to his bronze and silver medals from the last two world championships after he won the 1500 metres title in comfortable fashion.

Robby Andrews flew home for second with Leonel Manzano edging out Ben Blankenship for that vital third spot.

There was a shock in the women's 400 metres as three-time 200 metre world champion Allyson Felix charged home to pip Natasha Hastings to the title in 50.19 seconds.

Francena McCorory clocked 49.85 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year in the semi-finals, but she faded badly and will not run in the individual event in Beijing after Phyllis Francis beat her to third place.

There was another surprise in the men's 400 metres as David Verburg edged out defending world champion LaShawn Merritt to take his first national title in 44.63 seconds.

Vernon Norwood was third with the top three all breaking 45 seconds.

And there was another upset in the women's 100 metre hurdles as Dawn Harper-Nelson took her fourth national title in 12.55 seconds, overhauling long-time leader Keni Harrison on the line.

Sharika Nelvis, who had clocked a world-leading 12.34 in the heats on Friday, edged out Queen Harrison for the vital last world championship qualification spot but Jasmine Stowers - holder of 2015's fastest time before Nelvis - was only fifth and will not go to Beijing.