Complex sentence: Bryshon Nellum ran a personal record 44.80--his first sub- 45-second time--in the 400 meters at the U.S. track trials, placing third in the competition and earning a spot on the 2012 Olympic team.
Split into simpler sentences: Bryshon Nellum ran a 44.80 in the 400 meters at the U.S. track trials. Placing third in the competition and earning a spot on the 2012 Olympic team.