She’s gone and done it again.
Junior Emma Coburn finished fourth at the IAAF World Championship in Daegu, South Korea to qualify for the finals in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. She is the only American runner to make it to the finals.
Just a month removed from winning an NCAA championship in the same category, Coburn took nearly three seconds off her title winning time to finish at 9 minutes and 38 seconds.
“I think I can go a couple seconds faster still,” she said. “I felt really good in the race and I’m really excited for the finals. I don’t have anything to lose; I’m not in medal contention. I’m here for the experience and to run fast. Making the final was beyond any expectations.”
Coming down the stretch of the final kilometer, Coburn had no idea she would reach a low enough time to bolster herself into the finals.
“I didn’t feel comfortable that I was going to qualify by place until I crossed the line,” she said.
The world final steeplechase begins August 30 at 9:20 pm Daegu local time.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Michael Krumholtz at Michael.krumholtz@colorado.edu
