EUGENE, Ore. – Emma Coburn will have a chance to win one last NCAA 3,000-meter steeplechase title for the University of Colorado after cruising to an easy win in the semifinals on Thursday night at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Historic Hayward Field.
Emma chasing steeples

Emma chasing steeples

 

The 2012 Olympian clocked a time of 9:46.76 to win not only the first heat, but the semifinal round as well. She outran the rest of the field by more than nine seconds as Cornell’s Rachel Sorna had the next fastest time at 9:55.84. (Sorna was also in the first heat with Coburn.) The second heat was won in 9:58.82 (Weber State’s Amber Henry).

 

 

The finals are on Saturday at 2:57 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ESPNU.

 

Coburn went to the front of the pack at the start and put about 10 meters between her and the rest of the field. After that, she was able to run a very smooth and controlled race as she continued to put distance between her and her competitors. Entering the bell lap, Coburn had built up a commanding lead, approximately 50-meters, and was able to cruise to the finish.

 

Earlier in the afternoon, senior Joe Morris competed in his second event of the championships as he raced in the third section of the 200-meter semifinals. Morris ended up seventh in the heat and 22nd overall with a time of 20.81. Pac-12 Champion Bryshon Nellum (USC) won the semifinals in 19.99.

 

Although Morris did not advance to the finals in either event, he wrapped up one of the best sprinting careers at CU, finishing as the second best performer in the outdoor 200 (20.45) and tied for third in the 100 (10.27). He is also CU’s indoor 60-meter record holder (6.57) and won a pair of 2013 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation indoor track and field titles in the 60 and 200 in February. This past May he was named CU’s Male Career Athletic Achievement Award winner. He also became the first Buff since Devlon Dunn in 1988 to qualify for both the 100 and 200 races at nationals.

 

Action at the NCAA Championships will continue on Friday for the Buffs, starting with sophomore Mark Jones in the high jump which starts at 3:20 p.m. PT and the beginning of the meet will be streamed on the Pac-12 Live Stream (pac-12.com/live/goducks). Senior Aric Van Halen will be on the track at 5:40 p.m. PT for the finals of the men’s steeplechase. That final will be televised live on ESPNU. Live stats will also be available at www.flashresults.com.

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