USATF Outdoor Championships

USA Women's Steeplechase: Can Anybody Catch Up to Emma Coburn?

USA Women's Steeplechase: Can Anybody Catch Up to Emma Coburn?

Jun 22, 2015 by Meg Bellino
USA Women's Steeplechase: Can Anybody Catch Up to Emma Coburn?


MEN'S STEEPLE PREVIEW | WOMEN'S STEEPLE PREVIEW

The women’s steeplechase in the United States is in it’s most exciting year yet. For an event that has only been contested at the USATF Outdoor Championships fewer years than most, the ladies of the steeplechase will put together quite possibly one of the most exciting races of the weekend. If you thought the NCAA Championship Final was exhilarating, wait for what this race has in store.



Emma Coburn is the most successful American steeplechaser whose career is only just begun. She’s made a World Championship and Olympic final and broke Jenny Simpson’s 2009 American Record (9:12.50) when she ran 9:11.42 in Glasgow last summer (Unofficial but let’s be real, she’s the fastest American in this event. Ever).

While Coburn is the ultimate favorite in this event (She won the U.S. final by nearly 8 seconds in 2014), it’s interesting to notice just how good other Americans are in 2015. Right now, five Americans are ranked in the world top-20, excluding Coburn, who will debut in the event in Eugene. It should also be noted that three of these five American marks are from the NCAA Championships. The future is so bright for this event, these are the ladies who we believe have the best chance to contend for a spot on Team USA.

Emma Coburn, PB 9:11.42, SB: N/A
Why: She's the queen of this event and made that clear in nearly every Diamond League race she entered in 2014, including a win in Shanghai and a top-three finish at four other DL events. Coburn capped off her season with a Continental Cup victory in September and has minimal racing under her belt this season, perfect for the long season she'll have ahead of her.

Stephanie Garcia, PB 9:24.28, SB 9:27.92
Why: She made the World Championship squad in 2011 and is the only American with three IAAF A Standards in 2015: The steeplechase, 1500m (4:05.39), and 5K (15:19.50).

Ashley Higginson, PB 9:27.59, SB 9:31.32
Why: She was the runner-up to Coburn in 2014, made the team in 2013, and finished runner-up at the adidas Grand Prix. Higginson is rocking life right now, having just finished law school at Rutgers.


Ashley Higginson at the Hoka One One Middle Distance Classic

Bridget Franek, PB: 9:29.53, SB: 9:36.88
Why: An Olympic finalist in 2012, Franek has had a few bumpy years since representing our country in London. Her race at the adidas Grand Prix, however, is her fastest mark since that same meeting in 2013 and a good indication that she’s headed in the right direction.

Colleen Quigley, PB/SB: 9:29.32
Why: Quigley ended her four years at Florida State with a bang at the NCAA Championships, becoming the third-fastest steeplechaser behind Simpson and Coburn and finally getting herself an NCAA title. After sitting out during the championship portion of 2014 due to injury, Quigley is riding that post NCAA high, signing with KIMbia Athletics and will no doubt have a shoe contract come USAs.

Courtney Frerichs, PB/SB: 9:31.36
Why: Frerichs’ tactic of moving up throughout the race worked out for her at the NCAA Championships, as she caught defending champ Leah O’Connor in the final 150m to finish runner-up behind Quigley. Her consistency in 2015 makes her dangerous, and she finished sixth in this final last year. What’s scary? She has a fifth-year of NCAA eligibility.

Leah O’Connor, PB/SB: 9:33.38
Why: After finishing third in the NCAA final, O’Connor will be looking for a little redemption to finish the year as the top collegiate. She’ll hopefully be at 100% in Eugene this time, as her blog chronicled her unfortunate pre-race fall in the Hayward Field bleachers. A healthy O’Connor is scary, as we saw in the NCAA mile final indoors


O'Connor and Quigley at the 2015 NCAA Championships