DES MOINES, Iowa - University of Colorado junior Shalaya Kipp easily advanced to the finals in the 3,000-meter steeplechase after winning the first semifinal at the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Jim Duncan Track on Wednesday.
Kipp won her semifinal in 9 minutes, 59.18 seconds. She led for the majority of the race, running with a pack of five other runners, until the final 300 meters when she dropped back to fourth. When the lead group went over the final water jump, Kipp was able to regain the lead and hang on for the win. Oregon's Melanie Thompson almost closed the gap between her and Kipp in the final seconds as she was just .72 seconds away from Kipp, finishing in 9:59.90.
The women's steeplechase finals are scheduled for Friday at 5:30 p.m. (MST). Junior Aric Van Halen will take to the track on Thursday night in the men's steeplechase semifinals at 6:25 p.m.
The meet will go through Saturday, June 9. The entire championships will be streamed live on ESPN3.com. Saturday's events also will be televised on ESPNU in a window beginning at 11 a.m. Live results can be accessed on NCAA.com, GoDrakeBulldogs.com and flashresults.com.
2012 NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Jim Duncan Track (Des Moines, Iowa)
Women's Steeplechase (semifinals): 1. Shalaya Kipp, 9:59.18
