Coburn Named WhiteWave Homegrown Hero

BOULDER- University of Colorado senior Emma Coburn has been selected as the first female recipient in CUGÇÖs partnership with WhiteWave to recognize ColoradoGÇÖs Homegrown Heroes.

The Crested Butte, Colo., native is a member of both CUGÇÖs cross country and track & field squads and is a nine-time all-conference honoree. She was also one of 10 female semifinalists for the USTFCCA The Bowerman Award, the top athletic honor in the track & field world.

At Crested Butte High School, she was an all-state performer for four years and her time running for the Titans included two fourth place finishes at the state cross country meet in 2006 and GÇÖ07. She ran the 2,000-meter steeplechase at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in 2007 and GÇÖ08 where she placed in the top five both years. Her times earned her a pair of All-American honors in 2007 and GÇÖ08 as well as five school records: 400m (1:02), 800m (2:16), 1,600m (5:11), 3,200m (11:32), the 4x800-meter relay and in the high jump (5 feet, 1 inch).

Most recently, Coburn had a remarkable 2011 spring season for the Buffaloes, acquiring CU Athlete of the Week status five times and earning CUGÇÖs coveted co-Female Athlete of the Year for the second straight season. In June, she won her first NCAA 3,000-meter steeplechase title at the outdoor track & field championships. Her finishing time of 9:41.11 gave her the honor of becoming just the second female CU athlete to win the steeplechase at nationals.

After winning the 2011 USATF steeplechase title in June, she qualified for the U.S. Team. She raced in the steeplechase finals at the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics earlier this month in Daegu, Korea and finished in 13th place with a time of 9:51.40. She was the only American who qualified for the finals.

After the cross country season, she will return to the steeplechase when the 2012 track & field season roles around. If she can repeat a top-three finish at the 2012 USATF national championships, she will represent the U.S. at the Summer Olympic Games in London.

About WhiteWave Foods

The mission of WhiteWave Foods is to be the EarthGÇÖs favorite food company, by creating nutritious, innovative, responsibly-produced foods that nurture people and the planet. WhiteWave brands include Horizon-«, the leading national organic dairy brand; and Silk-«, the national category leader in natural and organic plant-based beverages, including Silk-« Soymilk, Silk-« Pure Almond and Silk-« Pure Coconut. WhiteWave also makes International Delight-«, the nationGÇÖs leading provider of flavored, liquid non-dairy creamers and LAND O LAKES-«* liquid dairy products, including AmericaGÇÖs number one nationally branded Half & Half and Fat Free Half & Half. Based in Colorado, WhiteWave is committed to sustainability, from encouraging the use of renewable energy to reducing waste, water use and greenhouse gas emissions at its farms, plants and offices. For more information, visit WhiteWave online at www.whitewavefoods.com, explore the WhiteWave blog at www.thegrazingmind.com, or follow WhiteWave on Facebook and Twitter.

Colorado University Athletics