Jenny Barringer went into to the 2009 Payton Jordan 5k licking her chops to break 15 minutes for the first time. While she fell just short, she captured the victory and a 15:07 outdoor PR, setting the American collegiate record in the process.  Her solo 5k effort (from the gun!) is one of the gutsiest races in recent memory.

Barringer was on fire in 2009 from the 1500 to the steeple ... and after this performance ... to the 5000. There was much speculation (see interview below) as to what Jenny would focus on the remainder of that 09 outdoor season. She would later that year set the American record in the steeple, getting 5th at Worlds with her 9:12.50 effort.  

All said, Barringer's 2009 indoor and outdoor campaigns while at the University of Colorado were historic. She would set 6 collegiate or American records, and eventually run sub-4 in the 1500 (3:59.90) and 15:05 for the 5k. Her 2009 outdoor season was quite simply one of the greatest in collegiate history.

2009 collegiate records:

indoor
mile : 4:25.91
3000 : 8:42.03
5000 : 15:01.70

outdoor:
1500 : 3:59.90
3000 steeple : 9:12.50
5000 : 15:05.25



Barringer came back to Payton last year to race in her first post-collegiate race as a pro. She won the 1500 (pictured here), and although she later had to cut her season short due to a stress reaction, still captured a 3rd-place finish in the 5k at US outdoors (15:33) and a 4:03.63 over 1500 meters.

Watch the race below and witness what was part of a historic 2009 year for one of America's brightest young stars.



Jenny's post-race interview (she's this bubbly when she's disappointed?!)



Stay tuned for tomorrow's Stanford Rewind segment, as we'll be highlighting an epic battle between two American distance prodigies from a few years back.  Also, look for Jenny Barringer (now Simpson) at this year's Drake Relays, as she will be toeing the line in the 1500 meters Saturday afternoon in her home state!