Colorado University Athletics
Gorton Third In 3,000 At NCAA
March 15, 2003 | Track and Field
Fayetteville, Ark. - On the second day of the 2003 NCAA Track & Field Championships here Saturday night, junior Sara Gorton wrapped up one of the most impressive two days in CU history by taking third in the women's 3,000 meter run in 9:07.16.
"This caps off a pretty amazing double turn for Sara Gorton," said CU coach Mark Wetmore following the meet. "To run 15:39 in the 5,000 and double back in the 3,000 the next day and run school records in both, really on training that is geared towards outdoors is great. I am a little surprised myself. It's really one of the best track performances in CU history...ever."
Gorton, who on Friday night won the 5,000 meters national title in 15:39.25, ran a new personal best and broke her own school record with a time of 9:07.16. She finished behind the favorite, Shalane Flanagan of North Carolina who ran 9:01.05, and Stanford's Lauren Fleshman who ran a time of 9:01.58.
Gorton won the Big 12 title in both events at the conference championships two weeks ago, and now holds the school record in both events after besting her previous 3,000 mark of 9:11.59, set at the 2001 Nebraska Quadrangular. She scored all 16 of CU's points en route to a 12th place team finish in the women's event.
Colorado will get the 2003 outdoor season underway in two weeks at the Jim Click Invitational in Tucson, Ariz., on March 29.
Colorado Track & Field Results
3,000 Meter Run
3. Sara Gorton, Jr., 9:07.16