U.S. delivers 1-2 punch in steeplechase
LONDON — Rolling on the ground, still gasping for breath, Courtney Frerichs hugged Emma Coburn and shouted into her ear: “Am I dreaming? Am I dreaming?” Nope. That really happened. The two Americans outran two Kenyans to the finish line Friday and ended up 1-2 in the steeplechase at the world championships for the latest improbable triumphs for a stable of U.S. long-distance runners who keep getting stronger.
Coburn finished in an American-record 9 minutes, 2.58 seconds, and Frerichs set a personal best at 9:03.77. These marked the first two steeplechase medals for U.S. women since the event began at the world championships in 2005. It marked the first time Americans have finished 1-2 in a women’s or men’s steeplechase at the worlds or the Olympics.
They were the fourth and fifth medals for the U.S. distance runners at the championships in London, including a bronze from Amy Cragg in the marathon, a bronze from Evan Jager in the men’s steeplechase and a silver from Jenny Simpson in the 1,500 meters.
“I think we’re all motivating each other,” said Coburn, whose bronze last year was the first medal of any color at the Olympics for an American woman in the event. “Evan ( Jager) and I have been in the mix the last couple of years. You (break down) these barriers of what you think is possible.”
In this race, the field got a break early when one of the world’s best, Beatrice Chepkoech of Kenya, missed the turn for the water jump on the inside of the track and had to go back.
Coburn and Frerichs raced near the front the entire way.
“I was just waiting for the Africans to pass me and surge to overtake me,” Coburn said.
It didn’t happen. Kenya’s Hyvin Jepkemoi took bronze and Chepkoech finished fourth.
In other events:
Ivana Spanovic of Serbia seemed to have produced a medal-winning leap on her final long jump attempt, but was given a much shorter mark — seemingly because the number bib on her back dragged into the sand, and the gold went to Brittney Reese at 7.02 meters (23 feet, 3⁄8 inch).
Darya Klishina of Russia, competing as a neutral athlete because of her country’s doping suspension, took silver with a jump of 7 meters (22-11½), and defending champion Tianna Bartoletta added an American medal with bronze.
Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands successfully defended her title in the 200, dipping at the line just ahead of MarieJosee Ta Lou of Ivory Coast to win in 20.05 seconds.
In the men’s hammer throw, Poland’s Pawel Fajdek won his third straight title.
Going into the closing weekend, the United States has eight gold medals. Kenya is second with three. Overall, the Americans have 23 medals, 15 more than second-place Kenya.