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CU trackster Jenny Simpson Named USATF Athlete of the Week
Jul 25th
“It’s always a good feeling to win no matter what the venue,” Simpson said. “Monaco is a special stage though. Having a strong finish against some of the toughest 1500m competition in the world gives me loads of confidence.”
Simpson led as the bell sounded for the final lap, but Kenya’s 1500m national champion Hellen Obiri took the lead from Simpson on the back stretch. But Simpson unleashed a furious kick to regain the lead and achieve her first Diamond League win of the season.
While Simpson finished first, her U.S. contemporaries also fared well. Brenda Martinez, Shannon Rowbury, and Gabrielle Anderson took four of the top five spots. The four Americans all ran under 4:01.50.
“The strength and depth the U.S. middle distance women showed in Monaco was impressive,” Simpson said. “This is the most competitive time for the 1500m I can ever remember. I feel honored to be a part of it.”
The reigning world champion sets her sights on defending her crown in Moscow in just over two weeks.
“This is exactly the momentum I wanted going into World Championships,” Simpson said. “Moscow will require so much focus to get through the preliminary rounds in order for me to even have a shot at defending my title, but I’m excited for the challenge.”
Now in its 12th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2013 Winners: January 9, Bobby Mack; January 16, Mary Cain; January 22, Ajeé Wilson; January 30, Duane Solomon; February 6, Chris Derrick; February 13, Jeremy Taiwo; February 20, Alysia Montaño; February 27, Galen Rupp; March 6, Jenn Suhr; March 13, Tia Brooks; March 20, Bridget Franek; March 27, Ben True; April 3, Darvis “Doc” Patton; April 10, Octavious Freeman; April 24, Erik Kynard; May 1, Queen Harrison; May 8, Tyson Gay; May 15, Jon Olsen; May 22, Mary Cain; May 29, Michael Tinsley; June 5, Mary Cain; June 12, Brianna Rollins; June 26, Brianna Rollins; July 3, Thomas Burns; July 10, Ryan Whiting; July 17, William Bell. Sr.; July 24, Jenny Simpson
CU trackster headed to world championship
Jun 23rd
DES MOINES, Iowa – University of Colorado senior Shalaya Kipp recorded a third-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase finals at the USA Track & Field Championships to earn a spot on the U.S. roster of the IAAF World Championships in Moscow this August.
Kipp, who was third at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, finished the race with a season-best time of 9:46.83, coming in just under the IAAF World Championships ‘B’ Standard of 9:48.00 on Saturday. She will have until July 20 to record the ‘A’ standard (9:43.00) which is required to participate at the world championships.
The race was run under extremely hot and humid conditions with temperatures on the track over 100 degrees during the day. Kipp started the race fairly conservatively as she was in the back of the field, running about 10th for the first couple of laps, but slowly started to work her way up in the pack.
With two laps remaining, Kipp was in eighth-place and picked off three runners to move into fifth at the start of the bell lap. Kipp continued her strong surge and was in fourth-place with just over 200 meters left. As Kipp approached the final water jump, she was just about neck and neck with the then-third place runner Jamie Cheever. She propelled off of the barrier to gain the advantage and would never look back as Kipp continued to put distance between her and Cheever, who finished in 9:53.01.
Also on Saturday afternoon, former Buff Jeremy Dodson advanced to the semifinal round of the 200, clocking a 14th place overall finish in 20.40. Dodson finished third in his heat, so he advanced to the semis on time as the top two from each of the five heats automatically moved on.
The last day of the USATF Championships is Sunday. Billy Nelson and Aric Van Halen will be running in the steeplechase finals and Dodson will compete in the 200 semis. Jenny Simpson, who is the reigning IAAF 1,500-meter World Champion, has a bye in the 1,500 and will compete in the women’s 5,000. Laura Thweatt and Dathan Ritzenhein are also set to compete in the 5,000.
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CU tracksters Nelson & Van Halen Advance At USAs
Jun 22nd
DES MOINES, Iowa – Billy Nelson and Aric Van Halen each advanced to the 3,000-meter steeplechase finals at the USA Track & Field Championships on Friday afternoon.
Nelson finished second overall, crossing the finish in 8:37.87, and Van Halen placed 11th overall (8:46.63). The duo ran in separate heats and both were able to finish in the top five for an automatic bid to the finals.
Nelson, an assistant coach for the Buffs, ran a very good race. Halfway through it, he was in third, but the top seven were very close. With two laps remaining, Nelson moved up to second place and was about eight meters behind the leader at the moment (Cory Leslie). As the field came into the bell lap, Nelson had dropped back to third, but he was still positioned very well and moved back up to second. Craig Forys won the heat in 8:37.79.
Van Halen, who graduated in May, also had a good race but took a different approach. He started in the back of the field and slowly worked his way up. After two complete laps, Van Halen was up to seventh and three laps later he had moved into fifth, but the pack was still very close. With one lap left, the top six had pulled away from the rest of the field and Van Halen was still in great position as he earned the fifth and final automatic spot in the heat. He was just .47 seconds from a second-place finish as Daniel Huling finished in 8:46.16. Donald Cowart crossed third in 8:46.18 and De’Sean Turner was fourth in 8:46.62. Evan Jager won the heat in 8:45.85.
The men’s steeplechase finals will be at 2:55 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
Assistant coach Casey Malone was close to making the U.S. team, but came up just short as he placed fourth in the discus. Malone recorded a toss of 199 feet, 11 inches on his third throw of the afternoon, which won the first flight. Heading into finals, Malone was third overall before James Plummer moved ahead of him with a throw of 200-3. Lance Brooks won with a mark of 204-4.
Action continues at the USATF Championships on Saturday for CU. Former Buff Jeremy Dodson will run in the first round of the 200-meter dash at 1:40 p.m. CU senior Shalaya Kipp will race in the finals of the steeplechase at 3:20 p.m. and it will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network.
USATF OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Drake Stadium (Des Moines, Iowa)
Track Events (Current and former CU Athletes)
Men’s 3,000-Meter Steeplechase (first round): (1. Craig Forys, NY Athletic Club, 8:37.79) 2. Billy Nelson, 8:37.87; 11. Aric Van Halen, 8:46.63
Men’s Discus Throw (finals): (1. Lance Brooks, Nike, 204-4) 4. Casey Malone, 199-11
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