Eugene, Ore. — Kansas senior Michael Stigler came just fractions of a second from punching his ticket to the World Championships as he finished fourth in the 400-meter hurdle final Saturday at the USA Championships.

Stigler, who entered the weekend as the fourth-ranked American in the 400-meter hurdles this year, was looking to claim a spot on Team USA’s contingent at the World Championships to be held in Beijing in August. That would have required a top-three finish in the event final that featured the three-fastest hurdlers in the world this year.

Stigler clocked in with a time of 48.96.