EUGENE, Ore. –  University of Colorado senior-to-be Jenny Barringer set a Hayward Field record of 9 minutes and 48.50 seconds to advance to the finals in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Monday night.

The previous record was 9:49.41, which was set by Lisa Nye in 2001.

 “I didn’t even know (I broke the record)! This is an awesome place to be to do things like that,” Barringer said “I’m so young; I’m only 21 and I’m still in college. I get to wear my Colorado uniform to do all these things and to be attached to such a great place like University of Colorado, I feel so honored.”

Barringer won the second heat of the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase in 9 minutes, 48.50 seconds, which was the fastest time in the semifinals. Anna Willard took second in 9:52.06. Michigan State’s Nicole Bush won the first heat with a mark of 9:49.71.

“This was a good a effort. It wasn’t easy by any means,” Barringer explained. “The level of completion here requires you to go out, even in a prelim, to put in a good effort. The conditions were perfect. The weather is beautiful. You can hear everything and everyone cheering for you. In the true sense of the word, (Eugene) is an awesome place to run. I’m just so happy to be here.”

Barringer has been taking things one step at a time this season, focusing on one major event before moving on to the next despite being the reigning USATF champion in the steeplechase.

“My goal was to get through and not fall,” Barringer explained. “I think that’s the goal of every steeplechaser. There were a few hurdles I’m not so proud of and I stutter stepped a little bit but I think part of that is the anxiousness of competing at this high-level meet.”

Willard led for most of the race. Barringer made her move with about 800 meters remaining to beat Willard by 3.56 seconds.

Barringer said she really felt support from the crowd in Oregon as Hayward Field is known for its knowledgeable track and field fans.

“It’s strange to me that so many people that I don’t know are really behind me,” Barringer said. “To have a whole stadium of people I’ve never met cheering for me, that’s a feeling in life that few people get.”

Former CU athletes Carrie Messner-Vickers and Lesley Higgins also advanced to the finals in the steeplechase. Messner-Vickers was fourth in Barringer’s heat, running a time of 9:53.78. Higgins ran in the first heat and placed 8^th (10:02.88) and was the final qualifier for the finals.

Six of the women who have the Olympic A Standard qualified for the finals. They are (in order of time): Lisa Galaviz, Barringer, Willard, Lindsey Anderson, Delilah DiCrescenzo and Messner-Vickers. In order to advance to Beijing, they have to finish in the top three. Those who do not have the A standard (9:46.00) must run the time in the finals to have a change at the Olympics.

Tuesday and Wednesday are rest days at the trials. The next action for the Buffs is Thursday, July 3.

The women’s 1,500-meter quarterfinals will run at 8:30 p.m. and the men’s 1,500m quarterfinals will follow at 9:25. The men’s discus qualifying is at 9:30. The men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase semifinals will start at 10:10 and the final event of the day is the finals of the women’s steeplechase at 9:45 p.m. All of the events, with the exception of the women’s 1500m, will be available for broadcast on USA Network (Comcast channel 24).

More to come after the completion of the men's 5,000-meter final featuring former Buffs Adam Goucher, Brent Vaughn and Stephen Pifer.

U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials

Hayward Field (University of Oregon)

Eugene, Ore.

Women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase (semis): 1. Jenny Barringer, 9:48.50; 8. Carrie Messner-Vickers, 9:53.78; 14. Lesley Higgins, 10:02.88.