Clark Finishes Fifth in The 10k

Eugene, Ore. – The University of Colorado women had an excellent start to the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships here Thursday as Erin Clark finished fifth in the 10,000 meters to earn first-team All-America honors.

WHAT HAPPENED
Erin Clark earned her fourth career All-America honor in the 10,000 meters as she crossed the finish line in 33:03.22 to finish fifth overall. Clark ran a vary smart and mature race staying within the top group throughout the entire race. This marks the highest finish for a CU athlete in the 10k since Sara (Gorton) Slattery who won the title in 2006. Teammate Makena Morley finished in 17^th place overall with a time of 33:58.17.

Sophomore Dani Jones kicked off the solid day for the Buffs with the 1,500 meters. Jones competed in the first heat where she ran a personal best time of 4:10.74 crossing the finish line first to automatically qualify. This time moves Jones up the CU all-time list as she now moved to third, only behind only Jenny Barringer (Simpson) and Emma Coburn. Jones heads into Saturday's finals with the top time amongt the field.

Madison Boreman easily advanced to the finals in the 3,000-meter steeplechase after winning the first semifinal heat. Boreman held steady with the top group of four running a very smart race. She entered the final lap in third place and hit her stride. Boreman made her move on the final water jump as she cleared it perfectly to move into first place. Boreman won the heat clocking an incredible PR of 9:51.00, a 15 second improvement. This time moves Boreman to fifth on the CU all-time performers list, joining a very elite group. Teammate Sage Hurta finished in 22^nd place with a time of 10:20.59

UP NEXT
Nationals continue on Friday with Ben Saarel competing in the 1,500 meter finals at 6:42 p.m. MT. Joe Klecker, John Dressel and Zach Perrin will also be competing in the 5,000 meters scheduled for 8:25 MT.

QUOTES (Head Coach Mark Wetmore)
"Good run for Dani, getting through in the 1,500. She looked very smart and patient and in control. I think she has another gear in her if she needs it. But, it is a really loaded 1,500 meter finals. One of the Best ones I have ever seen, so we are excited."

"In the steeplechase, an excellent run for Madie. I think that is the fastest a freshman has ever run at Colorado and there has been some pretty good ones. She was technically very sound and stayed up in the front of the race the whole time. Lets hope she can repeat that in a couple of days and get some points for the team. Sage did not have a great day, but she had a great year. She was All-American in the fall, All-American in Indoors, apart of the National Championship relay team. And maybe getting a little bit tired at this point in the year. It is an extremely long year for any one particularly a freshman. Great year for her, we are excited about her future."

"Excellent, smart, patient run for Erin Clark. She just ran the 10,000 for the first time in her life this year, so to be fifth in the NCAA is great. A lot of people don't know that this is her hometown so a lot of fans in the stands and she got to represent Colorado and her hometown all at once. Great night for Erin. Makena, this is her first track season at this level. She learned a lot and is going to be a big one for us in the future."

2017 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Hayward Field (Eugene, Ore.)

Women 1,500 Meters: (1. Dani Jones, 4:10.74)
Women Steeplechase: (1. Hope Schmelzle, Northern Illinois, 9:50.51) 4. Madison Boreman, 9:51.00; 22. Sage Hurta, 10:10.59
Women 10k: (1. Charlotte Taylor, San Francisco, 32:38.57) 5. Erin Clark, 33:03.22; 17. Makena Morley, 33:58.17

FOLLOW ALONG
Social: @CUBuffsTrack
Live Results: http://www.ncaa.com/sites/default/files/external/track-field/results/d1/outdoor17/final/index.htm
Live Stream ESPN: http://www.espn.com/watch/

SCHEDULE
Below is a schedule of who is competing in each event on each day for the Buffs.

Friday June 9, Men Track Events

TIME (MT)	EVENT	ROUND	NAME	BEST TIME	NATIONAL RANKING
6:42	1,500	FINAL	*Ben Saarel*	3:40.24
8:25	5k	FINAL	*Joe Klecker*	13:42.64	12^th
		FINAL	*John Dressel*	13:44.56	15^th
		FINAL	Zach Perrin	13:46.09	17th

Saturday June 10, Men Track Events

TIME (MT)	EVENT	ROUND	NAME	BEST TIME	NATIONAL RANKING
4:41	1,500	FINAL	*Dani Jones*	4:12.68	8^th
4:54	Steeplechase	FINAL	Madison Boreman	9:51.00
6:25	5k	FINAL	Erin Clark	16:11.32	67th

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Erin Clark

John Dressel

Sage Hurta

Dani Jones

Joe Klecker

Makena Morley

Ben Saarel