Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Donn Cabral Featured in Town Topics
June 14, 2012 | Men's Track and Field
PU Track Star Cabral Wins NCAA Steeplechase; Now Running After a Spot in Summer Olympics
Bill Alden, Town Topics (6/13/12)
"I was confident but between Craig Florys of Michigan, Cory Leslie of Ohio State, the Indiana contingent, and Henry Lelei of Texas A & M, there were a lot of runners who wanted to take a shot at me," said the recently-graduated Cabral. "I was ready to put up a fight."
Cabral proved to be up to the fight, pulling away for the win last Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa as he posted a time of 8:35.44 for the 3,000-meter event with Florys second in 8:40.66.
In the process, the Glastonbury, Conn. native completed an undefeated season in the event and earned Princeton's third outdoor National Championship. It was the first crown for a Tiger since Tora Harris won the 2002 high jump, and is the first individual track national title since 1934 when William Bonthron won the mile.
In reflecting on his landmark victory, Cabral was pleased with how he executed under pressure.
"The race plan was sit on the leader and run 70 or 69 second laps which is a comfortable steeplechase pace," explained Cabral.
"With a third of the race to go, I wanted to make a move and spread things out and see if they wanted to run with me. Then I had to hold my focus to the finish. I was really happy with it. Once I started to make a move, my first lap was faster than the next. I wanted it to be a decisive move; I wanted the other people to hurt."