Emma Coburn came oh-so-close to winning the title in the girls 2000 meter steeplechase at Nike Outdoor Nationals, running a 6:44.42 to finish second to Shelby Greany of New York. Coburn finished 1.6 seconds out of first and 10 seconds ahead of third.
Coburn's efforts come on the heels of a first-place finish in the same event at the Great Southwest Classic only two weeks earlier. Her success in this event and her signing with the University of Colorado earlier this spring make her an intriguing candidate to fill the shoes of Jenny Barringer when Barringer's track eligibility is done in another year.
Mason Finley returned to action today in the shot put, but had a disappointing set of preliminary throws and failed to make finals.
Other Colorado athletes in action at NON included a pair of 800 runners from Mullen High School, Vanessa Fabrizio and Andrew Berberick. In the girls emerging elite 800 field, Vanessa Fabrizio ran the best time this season by a Colorado athlete, finishing in 2:12.67. Fabrizio, at left (photo courtesy Brandon Miles), broke from the competition early in the second lap of in her heat and was never seriously challenged thereafter. Andrew Berberick managed a season and personal best of 1:52.61, good enough for 11th in a very strong field.