Colorado University Athletics
Coburn Named Big 12 Athlete of the Week
April 20, 2010 | General, Track and Field
IRVING, Texas - University of Colorado sophomore Emma Coburn was named the Big 12 Track & Field Athlete of the Week after posting a world leading time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the 2010 season.
The Crested Butte, Colo. native recorded a time of 9 minutes, 56.29 seconds en route to a personal best in the top section at the Mt. SAC Relays on Thursday night. Coburn was in second place from the start of the race and didn't lead until the final meters when she overcame Lennie Waite. Coburn closed strong in the final 100 meters after stumbling over the first barrier in the final lap. Waite recorded a time of 9:56.73, less than half a second behind.
Prior to Coburn's sub-10 minute performance, Baylor's Erin Bedell owned the top time in the NCAA at 10:03.81. Shayla Houlihan had the best time by an American (and the top time in the world) at 10:03.26.
Coburn's time makes her just the second Buff to finish the steeplechase in less than 10 minutes; improving on her previous personal record and U.S. Junior record of 10:06.21 by almost 10 seconds. The time is also the 19th best in CU history. This is Coburn's first Big 12 Athlete of the Week honor.
