Former CU Buffs Emma Coburn, Valerie Constien advance in Olympic steeplechase

Emma Coburn volition person an accidental to triumph a 2nd consecutive Olympic medal successful the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Another erstwhile Colorado Buffaloes way standout volition effort to clang the medals basal close alongside her.

Coburn cruised into an automatic bid for the steeplechase finale during the preliminary rounds connected Saturday, and chap erstwhile Buffs runner Valerie Constien, making her Olympic debut, besides utilized a coagulated showing to unafraid 1 of the at-large spots for the medals heat.

Coburn and Constien volition vie successful the title vigor connected Wednesday morning, 5 a.m. MT.

With the apical 3 finishers successful each of the 3 heats receiving automatic berths into the title round, Coburn, appearing successful her 3rd Olympics games, placed 3rd successful the opening vigor with a clip of 9 minutes, 16.91 seconds. Coburn’s bronze medal successful the 2016 games was the archetypal medal won by an American pistillate successful the steeplechase.

Constien finished 4th successful the 3rd heat, but her clip of 9:24.31 was bully capable to onshore 1 of the six at-large spots for Wednesday’s final.

All 3 American women volition vie successful the title heat, arsenic Courtney Frerichs won the 2nd vigor with a clip of 9:19.34.

TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 01: Valerie Constien of Team United States reacts aft competing successful circular 1 of the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase heats connected time 9 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games astatine Olympic Stadium connected August 01, 2021 successful Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)