2017 Stanford InvitationalApr 3, 2017 by Taylor Dutch
Allie Ostrander's Steeplechase Debut Is A Game-Changer
Allie Ostrander's Steeplechase Debut Is A Game-Changer
On Friday, Allie Ostrander made heads turn with her steeplechase debut at the Stanford Invitational. The Boise State sophomore not only ran an NCAA All-American-worthy time of 9:55.61, but she also won the race against several pros. In an event that con
Allie Ostrander made heads turn with her steeplechase debut at the Stanford Invitational on Friday. The Boise State sophomore not only ran an NCAA All-American-worthy time of 9:55.61, but she also won the race against several pros.
In an event that contains 28 barriers, seven of which are followed by a water pit, most first attempts are made with the simple goal of successfully clearing each hurdle, no matter the time. But Ostrander's debut is unprecedented and could be game-changing to American distance running.
To put her performance in perspective, no athlete in the Olympic Trials final ran a faster steeplechase debut than Ostrander's 9:55.61 run at Stanford. Even former American and collegiate record-holder Jenny Simpson ran a slower debut--10:19 at the 2006 Payton Jordan Invitational.
2016 Olympic Trials Final
Ostrander also sets herself apart with her fast 5K personal best, which translated well for a quick steeplechase. Before suffering from injury last year, Ostrander ran 15:21 indoors at the Washington Invitational. After dropping out of the NCAA Indoor Championships, she returned to racing at the Olympic Trials, where she made the 5K final and ran a personal best of 15:24 for eighth place.
Only two athletes in the Trials steeplechase final--Stephanie Garcia (15:16) and Ashley Higginson (15:18)--have run faster 5Ks.
In so many ways, Ostrander running the steeplechase makes sense. Her cousin and her sister both run the event. She has a mountain running background that includes a world junior title and six first-place finishes at Alaska's famed Mountain Marathon Junior Championships.
Most importantly, her proven toughness over adverse conditions is a much-needed trait when running the event. This, combined with her national-caliber speed as a 5K runner could be transformative for the steeplechase among the U.S. ranks.
If Ostrander's first steeplechase is already this quick, there's no telling how fast she could become after learning the event and being challenged with top competition.
WATCH: Ostrander's debut at Stanford Invitational:
In an event that contains 28 barriers, seven of which are followed by a water pit, most first attempts are made with the simple goal of successfully clearing each hurdle, no matter the time. But Ostrander's debut is unprecedented and could be game-changing to American distance running.
To put her performance in perspective, no athlete in the Olympic Trials final ran a faster steeplechase debut than Ostrander's 9:55.61 run at Stanford. Even former American and collegiate record-holder Jenny Simpson ran a slower debut--10:19 at the 2006 Payton Jordan Invitational.
2016 Olympic Trials Final
| Athlete | Debut | Personal Best |
|---|---|---|
| Emma Coburn | 10:50 | 9:07 |
| Courtney Frerichs | 10:42 | 9:20 |
| Colleen Quigley | 10:13 | 9:20 |
| Shalaya Kipp | 10:10 | 9:28 |
| Stephanie Garcia | 10:44 | 9:19 |
| Bridget Franek | 10:16 | 9:29 |
| Megan Rolland | 10:59 | 9:35 |
| Mel Lawrence | 10:40 | 9:36 |
| Ashley Higginson | 10:24 | 9:27 |
| Rena Williams-Chesser | 10:49 | 9:40 |
| Katie Landwehr | 10:41 | 9:41 |
| Jessica Kamilos | 10:22 | 9:41 |
| Nicole Bush | 10:40 | 9:24 |
| Leah O'Connor | 10:25 | 9:18 |
Ostrander also sets herself apart with her fast 5K personal best, which translated well for a quick steeplechase. Before suffering from injury last year, Ostrander ran 15:21 indoors at the Washington Invitational. After dropping out of the NCAA Indoor Championships, she returned to racing at the Olympic Trials, where she made the 5K final and ran a personal best of 15:24 for eighth place.
Only two athletes in the Trials steeplechase final--Stephanie Garcia (15:16) and Ashley Higginson (15:18)--have run faster 5Ks.
In so many ways, Ostrander running the steeplechase makes sense. Her cousin and her sister both run the event. She has a mountain running background that includes a world junior title and six first-place finishes at Alaska's famed Mountain Marathon Junior Championships.
Most importantly, her proven toughness over adverse conditions is a much-needed trait when running the event. This, combined with her national-caliber speed as a 5K runner could be transformative for the steeplechase among the U.S. ranks.
If Ostrander's first steeplechase is already this quick, there's no telling how fast she could become after learning the event and being challenged with top competition.
WATCH: Ostrander's debut at Stanford Invitational: