Colorado University Athletics
Ex-Buffs Coburn, Simpson Have Outstanding Pre Classics
May 29, 2016 | Track and Field, Neill Woelk
EUGENE, Ore. — Two former University of Colorado standouts continued their run-up to the U.S. Olympic Trials with outstanding days Saturday at the Prefontaine Classic, including an American-record setting performance by one.
Former CU All-American and NCAA champion Emma Coburn made headlines by running to an American record finish in the steeplechase, finishing in 9 minutes, 10.76 seconds. Coburn's time broke the record of 9:12.50, which was held by another former Buff great, Jenny Simpson in 2009.
Both Coburn and Simpson still train in Boulder, and have been able to make great use of the new Champions Center facilities on the CU campus for their regular training. Both are also still coached by their former Buffs coaches, Mark Wetmore and Heather Burroughs.
Coburn, who actually eclipsed Simpson's time two years ago at a meet in Scotland but didn't see the effort established as an official record (she forgot to go to drug testing immediately after the meet), was obviously thrilled with her effort.
“It's my first steeplechase since September,'' Coburn told the Eugene Register-Guard. “We wanted to go under 9:20. But it was the best I ever felt in a steeplechase. It's the best final 400 I felt in a long time. I'm really pleased. After I saw the (Diamond League) results from Shanghai, I knew the Kenyan women were going to run aggressively.
“On the water jump, I knew I could pass some Kenyans. For a while I was in fifth, but I started to click off people. I'm really proud of how I raced. I felt really strong on that last lap.''
Coburn finished third overall in the race, behind Bahrain's Ruth Jebet (8:59.97) and Kenya's Hyvin Kiyeng (9:00.0).
Today was unexpected. So happy to make this thing official ;) Thank you for your kind messages! #PreClassic #TeamNB pic.twitter.com/fIN7Cjtr4S
— emma coburn (@emmajcoburn) May 29, 2016
Simpson, who finished fourth in a rapid 1,500, said she was excited to see her record broken by Coburn.
“There's not a bigger fan on the planet of her than me,” Simpson said. “I'm so thrilled for her. It gave me a little fight today. I said this before — and I feel this way — you don't get to watch the person prepare to break your record, and I get to see that every day. I'm just really happy for her."
Both Coburn and Simpson will be among the favorites in their events in the July 1-10 U.S. Olympic Trials on the same track in Eugene in early July. Simpson is a two-time Olympian; Coburn competed in her first Olympics in 2012.
4:01 for 4th at @nikepreclassic today. It's all about Olympic Trials from here! Gotta make that team!!! #TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/J7Hybk8ysn
— Jenny Simpson (@trackjenny) May 29, 2016
New #AmericanRecordHolder @emmajcoburn #🇺🇸#steeplechase 9:10.76 @usatf @jeffcohenphoto @NBRunning @nikepreclassic pic.twitter.com/skQfqoSkdS
— TrackandField Image (@TrackFieldImage) May 29, 2016
