Stellar steeplechases highlight day 2 at Pac-12 champs

Colorado’s Madie Boreman wins her second Pac-12 steeplechase title at Hayward Field on Day 2 of the championships. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs

By Joe Zochert

The second day of the Pac-12 Championships were highlighted by the women’s and men’s 3,000m steeplechase. The weather was perfect for competitive racing on Saturday as seven women recorded personal bests and the top-three finishers in the men’s race ran top-10 marks in the nation for the season.

Bookend Titles

In the women’s steeplechase, Colorado’s Madie Boreman secured the Pac-12  title with a personal best of 9:42.22. It was a full circle moment for the graduate student as she also won the steeple at the conference championships her freshman year in 2017.

“I knew it’d be kind of a full circle moment today,” said Boreman as she reflected on her victory. “So to come back in, win it after a tough two or three years of injuries is more than I could ask for.”

Bookending her collegiate career with Pac-12 titles is a special moment, but the woman who won this year is a different person from five years ago.

“I’m definitely a little bit more mature,” said Boreman, who is now ranked No. 5 in the nation in the event. 

“As far as racing, I think freshman year I kind of was just like, I was gonna do everything for fun and now I am more aware of what my strengths are and how I should respond to react in a race.”

Both of her Pac-12 titles in the steeplechase came at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. Each time has been special as she experienced victories in both the historic and reimagined venues.

“Winning in Hayward is so special,” she said. “Being able to do it in the old one and now the new one is really cool, especially in the same event.”

Mitchell Finding a new Gear

Oregon State’s Kaylee Mitchell came in second place in the steeplechase with a season best 9:48.79. The junior put together a gutsy performance, leading the front pack for the first mile of the race.

However, her leading early in the race wasn’t what she had planned for Saturday’s final.

“I was not planning on doing that at all, but I was already up there,” said Mitchell about her fast start. “It’s not like I’m gonna stop and just like go to the back.”

Despite the impromptu start to the race, Mitchell still has her coach Louie Quintana believing that she has the potential to find a new gear to win these big races.

“There’s always this moment in a race where she kind of doesn’t necessarily push to get closer,” said Quintana about Mitchell’s race. “Now, it’s just kind of like believing that she can really stay in on the front pack and give herself a chance to be competitive.”

Saturday’s performance by both Mitchell and her teammate, Grace Fetherstonhaugh, who finished fourth with a 9:57.42, is an encouraging sign for Quintana that both his steeplechasers can make it to the NCAA Championships.

“I think they’re setting themselves up well, I think both of them can run in the 9:30’s,” added the Oregon St. Coach. “It gives themselves a chance to possibly make it to the NCAA meet.”

Washington’s Brian Fay takes the Pac-12 steeplechase title in his first time ever competing at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs

Fay’s Hayward Debut

Washington’s Brian Fay pulled out the victory in the men’s steeplechase with a mark of 8:32.47, which is the seventh best time in the nation. He beat out Stanford’s Ky Robinson and Washington St.’s Colten Johnsen, who finished second and third respectively.

The senior from Ireland was relieved to win his first ever steeplechase for Washington after transfering from Dublin University this past year.

“I’m kind of happy and kind of relieved,” said Fay after the race. He is happy to be part of a “phenomanal squad” at Washington.

The Pac-12 Championship was also Fay’s first time visiting Hayward Field. The venue did not disappoint for the Irishman.

“I think it’s an incredible facility, it’s probably the best facility I’ve ever ran in,” he said about his first experience at Hayward.

With this conference title, Fay is feeling confident. He believes he is fit enough to be competitive in multiple events at nationals depending on what the team needs.

“I’ll see whatever my coach, Andy Powell says,” he said. “I really like the 5k, I like the 1500 as well.”

“I’ll do whatever I’m told to do. I like all the events and I like how I have the range to be able to choose from whatever.”

With a wide arsenal to pick from in order to score for the Huskies, Fay hopes that he can continue his season after the collegiate championships.

“I would like to go back and race in Europe through June and July, but we’ll see what the plan is and what’s in store.”