AUSTIN -- Olivia Markezich of Notre Dame surged over the final 400m meters to capture the 3000m steeplechase title in a new collegiate best and facility record time at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

Markezich finished in 9:25.03, breaking the facility record of 9:27.66 set in 2021 by Kathryn Gillespie of Texas. She also lowered her personal-best by almost 11 seconds.

"I went into the season knowing I could go sub-9:30, I just didn't know if I could get it here because of the hot conditions," Markezich said. "This is something I have been dreaming of, and my dad is my biggest role model, so I'm super happy."

Greta Karinauskaite of CBU finished second in 9:30.85, and Ceili McCabe of West Virginia finished third in 9:41.32.

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Markezich trailed McCabe for most of the race but began making up ground as the two leaders approached the bell. As the runners rounded the curve and cleared the first barrier of the final lap, Markezich blew by into the lead and never looked back. 

"I went into the race not wanting to lead it, but stick on the leader and try not to lose contact," Markezich said of her strategy. "I had a bad habit of letting the leader get ahead of me and then have to catch up. I just wanted to stay up with (the race leader) and close as hard as I can."