INDIANAPOLIS - After running the 2011 world-leading time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, USA Track & Field has named University of Colorado junior Emma Coburn its athlete of the week.
Coburn raced effortlessly to a personal record time of 9 minutes, 40.51 seconds on Sunday night at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif. She finished 8.34 seconds ahead of Sara Hall (Asics) who ran 9:48.85. Coburn's time is an Olympic 'A' standard and made her the 11th fastest American in the event.
The Crested Butte, Colo. native's award comes on the heels of Coburn earning both the Big 12 and CU Athlete of the Week honors. Coburn ranks second on CU's all-time performers list and the time is the 13th best ever recorded by a Buff. She shaved 11 seconds off of her previous PR of 9:51.86 which she recorded at the 2010 NCAA Championship en route to a runner-up finish.
Colorado is off this week but will be back in action May 13-15 at the 2011 Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championship in Norman, Okla. Coburn is the reigning Big 12 Champion in the steeplechase as she won the event in 2010.
