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| Coburn Runs Sixth Fastest Collegiate Mile Ever Release: 02/16/2013 Courtesy: Linda Sprouse, Assistant SID | ||||||
NEW YORK - University of Colorado senior Emma Coburn got her 2013 season off to an impressive start by running the sixth-fastest mile in NCAA history on Saturday at the 106[SUP]th[/SUP] Millrose Games. She clocked an impressive time of 4 minutes, 29.86 seconds, which is also the fastest NCAA time of the season, to finish fourth overall. "That's a heck of a run for her debut. And not really her best distance, even among flat races," head coach Mark Wetmore said. "That's probably our most optimistic aspiration for this race. She's in excellent February shape; now on to June." This was Coburn's first race of any distance since last August and she made it count. The 2012 Olympian improved on her previous personal best of 4:36.08 from 2011 when she placed eighth at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Coburn shaved 6.22 seconds off her time to break some very elite company. Former teammate and fellow Olympian Jenny (Barringer) Simpson owns the NCAA record at 4:25.91 which she set in 2009 at the Big 12 Indoor Championships. "The race went well," Coburn said. "I was really happy to start the season with a 4:29. This was a really fun venue against a new mix of competitors I don't get to race often. It was really fun and a great experience." Nike's Sheila Reid won the mile in 4:27 and high schooler Mary Cain took second with a high school record of 4:28.25.Kate Grace (Oiselle) finished just behind Cain in 4:28.79. Coburn was able to hold off Dartmouth's Abbey D'Agostino who finished in 4:30.03 and Pac-12 foe Jordan Hasay ended up in 10[SUP]th[/SUP] place (4:36.21). "Tonight's mile was Emma's first race since August, but her training has been excellent and uninterrupted," coach Heather Burroughs said. "She, coach Wetmore and I were optimistic that she could be competitive and challenge 4:30. The field was a little slower than expected through 1,200 meters so it got crowded and physical, but Emma stayed near the front and reacted well to the pace changes. She beat a lot of good women and ran the sixth-fastest time in collegiate history. It's everything we were hoping for and a perfect start to 2013." The Wanamaker mile, both men's and women's, are sponsored by the New York Road Runners who were instrumental in getting this amazing field of racers together on Saturday. Three of the 11 women's runners were 2012 Olympians and there were five in the men's race. "Thanks to the New York Road Runners and Ray Flynn for putting this mile field together," Coburn said. "It was such a great event. I've never run in The Armory before and the energy was crazy. It was a lot of noise and you couldn't hear your splits, but it was great. And thanks to coach Wetmore and Burroughs, as well as the University of Colorado, for letting me do this since this is not a typically meet we go to." Coburn wasn't the only CU runner at the prestigious meet as the Buffs also had Joe Morris in the men's 60-meter dash. Morris placed seventh overall in 6.73 and was the lone collegiate runner in the race. The 60 was also a very stacked professional field as four participants were 2012 Olympians. Doc Patton won the race in 6.50, which is currently the fastest time this season in the world. The Millrose Games started in 1908 and since has become one of the top indoor and outdoor meets in the country. Over the years, many American and world records have been set at this meet which has hosted a who's who of the track and field world. This year's meet was no different as Olympian Bernard Lagat broke the American two-mile record (8:09.49). A total of 39 Olympians from the 2012 London Games were entered in this year's meet. The meet was streamed live on ESPN3 but ESPN will also rebroadcast portions of the meet on TV Sunday, February 17, from 4-6 p.m. MT. 106[SUP]th[/SUP] MILLROSE GAMES The Armory (New York City) Men's 60-Meters: (1. Doc Patton, 6.50) 2. Gerald Phiri, adidas, 6.64; 3. Keith Ricks, unattached, 6.67; 4. Reggie Dixon, Speed Elite, 6.70; 5. Kind Butler, unattached, 6.71; 6. Jeremy Bascom, CPTC New Balance, 6.73; 7. Joe Morris, 6.73; 8. Richard Browne, unattached, 8.23. Women's NYRR Wanamaker Mile: (1. Sheila Reid, Nike, 4:27.02) 2. Mary Cain, Bronxville, NY, 4:28.25; 3. Kate Grace, Oiselle, 4:28.79; 4. Emma Coburn, 4:29.86; 5. Abbey D'Agostino, Dartmouth, 4:30.03; 6. Hilary Stellingwerff, New Balance, 3:30.50; 7. Sarah Brown, New Balance, 4:31.26; 8. Emily Infeld, Nike OTC, 4:31.50; 9. Renee Tomlin, Nike, 4:35.99; 10. Jordan Hasay, Oregon, 4:36.21; 12. Ashley Higginson, Saucony, 4:36.63. |
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