Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Higginson Qualifies for Steeplechase Finals at NCAA Championships
June 11, 2010 | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
EUGENE, Ore. (6/10/10) - Junior Ashley Higginson qualified for the women's steeplechase final after finishing third in the second heat of the semifinals on Thursday, June 10 at the 2010 NCAA Track & Field Championships. Higginson finished third in her heat and fourth overall with a time 10:02.83 to automatically qualified for the finals on Saturday at 10:45 a.m.
The rain began just before the first heat of the women's steeplechase at 6:15 p.m., and with a lap to go, a rain delay in the pole vault was announced. Higginson ran in the second heat of the steeplechase and immediately took the lead from the starting gun.
The Princeton record holder and two-time Ivy League champion was challenged by Colorado's Emma Coburn two minutes in but Higginson recovered the lead. Shelby Greany of Providence then made a move to take the lead but Higginson's great recovery off the barriers kept her right in next to Greany. Just before the bell, Colburn took the lead and Greany stumbled leaving room for Shalaya Kipp of Colorado to ease her way up to Higginson and snuck past on the final lap. Coburn won the heat at 9:59.69 with Kipp placing second at 9:59.93 followed by Higginson at 10:02.83 and Greany at 10:04.88.
Sophomore Trevor Van Ackeren finished 10th in the first heat of the men's 1500-meter run semifinals. He recorded a time of 3:51.66. Winning the heat was Jack Bolas at 3:43.26, as the Wisconsin runner entered the meet with the second-best time in the nation. Van Ackeren qualified or the NCAA Championships by finishing in the top five in his heat at Regionals with a time of 3:51.91.
Friday, sophomore Donn Cabral will run in the championship steeplechase at 6 p.m., while sophomore Alex Banfich will run in the women's 5000 at 6:40 p.m. Senior All-America and multi-time NCAA participant Justin Frick will compete in the high jump at 3:30 p.m.