Source: New York Times
By JAMES DUNAWAY
Elizabeth Jackson of Brigham Young, a former professional ballet candidate, set an American record today in winning the first women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase held at the NCAA track and field championships in Eugene, Ore.
Jackson won by 30 meters in 9 minutes 49.73 seconds, breaking the mark of 9:55.63 she had set last month.
Jackson’s time is the fourth fastest ever run. The world record in the relatively new event for women is 9:40.20 by Cristina Casandra of Romania.
Bayano Kamani and Michael Smith of Baylor finished first and second in the men’s 400-meter hurdles. Kimani, a senior from Houston, regained the title he won in 1999 and missed winning by two-hundredths of a second last year. His 48.99 is the fastest by an American this year.
Otikule Lekote, a South Carolina sophomore from Botswana, never trailed in winning the men’s 800 meters in 1:46.68. In the women’s 800, Brigita Langerholc of Southern California and Slovenia won by 12 meters in 2:01.61.