HEUSDEN-ZOLDER, Belgium – University of Colorado senior-to-be Jenny Barringer set the American record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Sunday at the KBC Nacht meet.

Barringer won the race in 9 minutes, 22.73 seconds, slashing her previous record of 9:29.20. The time broke the U.S. record of 9:27.75 that was set by Anna Willard, a U.S. Olympic teammate, two weeks ago at the Olympic Trials.

“The pressure from the trials was off, so having the dream of me being an Olympian was realized,” Barringer explained. “I didn’t have the pressure of leading the race this time. It (the race) felt good. I kicked really hard at the end and it ended up working out.”

Barringer had an exciting finish as she eclipsed Willard at the finish to win her second-ever international race. Willard finished in 9:22.76.

“It was exciting to come to a huge internationally renowned race and have the Americans at the top,” Barringer said.

This was the final tune-up for Barringer before the Olympics in Beijing. The prelims for the steeplechase are on Aug. 15. The finals are Aug. 17.

“This is a great race to come off of and into China,” she said.” There were other Olympians here and that was a good warm-up racing against them.”

Barringer also owns the NCAA and collegiate records (9:29.20). She set both in the finals of the NCAA Championship in June.

Recent graduate and fellow Olympic teammate Billy Nelson also ran at the meet and finished seventh in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase in his final race before the games. He finished with a mark of 8:21.50, just .07 second off his personal record.

The men’s prelims are on Aug. 16 and the finals are Aug. 18.

 -colorado-