Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Cabral Posts Fastest Finish in Steeplechase Semis, Advances to Final
June 08, 2012 | Men's Track and Field
DES MOINES (6/7/12) - Senior Donn Cabral ran the fastest time in the semifinals of the steeplechase and won his heat to advance to the final at the 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake University.
Cabral ran 8:38.12 in the semifinals and won heat 2. He took the lead the first three laps but found himself back in third and fourth place for the next four laps. When the bell sounded Cabral was in fourth but not by a wide margin. He ran the fastest final lap at 1:03.61 and crossed the finish line first. His final lap was also his fastest lap with hurdles, averaging 1:08.30 in the other six laps.
Cabral's toughest competition on Saturday will be heat 1 winner Henry Lelei of Texas A&M who ran 8:39.09, as well as Craig Forys of Michigan who was second in heat 1 and third in the semis at 8:39.53.
The two-time national runner-up in the steeplechase, Cabral will vie for the title on Saturday at 11:52 a.m. He boasts a time postseason time of 8:19.41 from the Oxy High Performance Meet which is the American College Record and an Olympic A qualifying time.
In a heartbreaking result, senior Trevor Van Ackeren just missed making the final of the men's 1500. Van Ackeren ran a PR of 3:42.83 but was two places out of making the cut taking sixth in his heat. Van Ackeren does earn All-America honors for his 14th-place finish. Two years ago Van Ackeren finished 21st in the national semifinals at 3:51.66.
Tomorrow sophomore Damon McLean will compete in the triple jump at 4:30 p.m., and senior Joe Stilin takes on the 5k final at 7:10 p.m.