Coburn Wins Fourth USA Steeplechase Title

EUGENE, Ore. GÇô Emma Coburn won her fourth USA Steeplechase title in very hot conditions on Saturday afternoon at Hayward Field and earned a spot on the U.S. roster for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing this August.

The former Buff and current volunteer assistant coach cruised to a meet record time of 9:15.59 in just her second steeplechase race of the season (the first was two days ago in the prelims) and easily defeated Stephanie Garcia, who clocked in at 9:23.48. CoburnGÇÖs time is the second fastest of her career; she ran 9:11.42 in 2014.

GÇ£Our first few laps were close to 9:30 pace, so I knew it wouldnGÇÖt be slow,GÇ¥ Coburn said. GÇ£I thought I would see 9:20 when I crossed the line. But 9:15 was a surprise.GÇ¥

Coburn let Garcia do the leading for the first part of the race, but she pulled ahead around the midway point. Once Coburn moved ahead of Garcia, the duo separated from the pack. Coburn ran comfortably for the rest of the race and easily pulled away from Garcia as she entered the bell lap to secure her fourth U.S. championship.

GÇ£It went well,GÇ¥ Coburn said about her race. GÇ£IGÇÖm trying to develop other tactics besides going impatiently from the gun. I sat behind Stephanie for the first half and when I wanted to make a move I knew I had to make a pretty definitive one and I think my last kilometer was fairly close to three minutes, which is one of the faster kGÇÖs IGÇÖve ever done and to be competitive at the world stage I need to at least be closing that fast. Today was a good lesson on waiting and closing well.GÇ¥

Shalaya Kipp, another former Buff, placed sixth in the race, clocking a season best 9:37.09, which was less than two seconds off her PR of 9:35.67 that was set at the 2012 Olympic Trials.

In the junior championships, sophomore Rajon OGÇÖQuinn placed seventh after clearing 5-7 in the high jump. OGÇÖQuinn sailed over the first height of 5-5 on her first attempt and made it over 5-7 on her third try. Unfortunately she was unable to get past the following height of 5-8.75.

The final day of the championships is Sunday. Former Buffs Kara Goucher (5k) and Jenny Simpson (1,500) will be in action in the finals of their respective events.

2015 USA TRACK & FIELD OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Hayward Field (Eugene, Ore.)

Track Events
WomenGÇÖs 3,000-meter steeplechase (finals): 1. Emma Coburn, 9:15.59; 6. Shalaya Kipp, 9:37.09

2015 USA TRACK & FIELD JUNIOR OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Hayward Field (Eugene, Ore.)

Field Events
WomenGÇÖs High Jump: (1. Vashti Cunningham, Nevada Gazze, 6-00.50) 7. Rajon OGÇÖQuinn, 5-7

Colorado University Athletics