Michigan State University
NCAA Championships
Nicole Bush Earns Steeplechase All-America Honors
6/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
June 8, 2007
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Junior Nicole Bush finished in sixth place in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, earning All-America honors and sophomore Jonathon Allen posted a tie for 12th to advance to Saturday's final flight in the triple jump at the NCAA Championships on Friday.
"We are excited about Jon's jumping," director of track and field Walt Drenth said. "He did a great job and created some energy to make the next round. We are excited about his chances in the finals. Once again, Nicole ran another great race. She was very assertive and she looked like she belonged out there with the best runners in the country."
Bush earned her second consecutive All-America accolade in the 3,000-meter steeplechase after posting a 9:56.68, breaking her own school record by nearly two seconds, which she set at Wednesday's semifinals heat. This is the second consecutive race that the junior has broken the nine-minute mark.
Last year at the National Championships, Bush finished in fourth place in the same race, also earning the prestigious All-America award. She becomes the 38th Spartan woman to earn the accolade.
"I don't know if she could have ran a better race. Once again, she broke her own school record and had a personal-best time. Bush has made a lot of progress this past year. She has a lot of talent and has the chance to be a national champion if everything goes her way next year."
Allen leaped 15.49 meters (50-10) for a tie for 12th place in the triple jump. The sophomore took the last spot in tomorrow's finals, which will include 12 other jumpers.
The Second Team All-Big Ten honoree will participate in Saturday's finals, which will consist of two flights. The top-nine jumpers from the first flight will receive three additional jumps. The event is scheduled to begin tomorrow at 1 p.m. EST.
"The object of the prelim is to make the finals and Jon accomplished that," assistant coach Chris Bostwick said. "He looked good but he has something better in store in for the final. Today's competition gives everyone a clean slate tomorrow and the jumps do not carry over, so everyone is equal. Jon is really excited and looking forward to the opportunity to jump tomorrow."
To follow the 2007 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships live on Saturday, CBS will televise the meet from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EST).
Players Mentioned
