Test Your Buff Knowledge
Emma Coburn, left, and Shalaya Kipp, right, both seniors, represented CU and the United States in the steeplechase at the London Olympics.
There鈥檚 something about the women鈥檚 3,000-meter steeplechase that鈥檚 brought out the best in CU competitors in recent years. And 2012 is no different as Buff athletes Emma Coburn and Shalaya Kipp made the three-woman U.S. Olympic steeplechase team. Coburn won the U.S. title in the event and Kipp captured the NCAA championship.
Jenny Barringer Simpson (Econ, PolSci鈥09), who started CU鈥檚 domination in the event, takes pride in what the Buffs have accomplished in the steeplechase in recent years.
鈥淚 feel like in a really, really special way, even though I鈥檝e moved on from the event, I鈥檝e maybe left a little bit of a legacy there,鈥 says Simpson who concentrates on the 1,500 meters.
鈥淓mma and Shalaya have done an incredible job. I鈥檓 so excited for them, and I鈥檓 glad all three of us can be on the (Olympic) team.鈥
When it comes to major titles in the women鈥檚 steeplechase, no school rivals CU. In which years have current and former CU runners won the event in the NCAA Championships and USATF nationals?
NCAA champions:
Jenny Barringer Simpson (Econ, PolSci鈥09) in 2006, 2008 and 2009; Emma Coburn in 2011; and Shalaya Kipp in 2012
USATF national champions:
Simpson in 2007 and 2009; and Coburn in 2011 and 2012