Gaffigan Reaches Steeplechase Final

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Eugene, Ore. ? Former Husker Ann Gaffigan has advanced to the finals of the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase on Monday night in Eugene, Ore., after finishing fifth in her heat and ninth overall in the preliminaries with a time of 9:55.24. Gaffigan set the U.S. Olympic Trials record in 2004 with a time of 9:39.35, but was not able to compete at the Olympic Games in Athens due to the fact that the steeplechase was not yet an Olympic event. Gaffigan was a four-time letterwinner at Nebraska, the 2004 Big 12 3,000-meter steeplechase champion and earned All-America honors in 2004 with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

"(The atmosphere) was unbelievable. I don't know if they were necessarily clapping for a specific person, but the backstretch was like an earthquake,” said Gaffigan when asked about the atmosphere at the trials. “I was at the 2004 trials and that was amazing too, but I don't know if it is more compact in here or people just love track that much more. They sure made it easy to stay in the moment which is huge."

 

When asked what she needs to do to get ready for the finals, Gaffigan responded, "I'm going to go take an ice bath and get lots of sleep and try to relax. That is all you can do. Eat good food and take your vitamins."

 

The finals of the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase are set for Thursday, July 3, at 11:45 p.m. (Central).

 

Former Husker Kayla Wilkinson was also in action on Monday night, competing in the finals of the women’s javelin. After finishing 11th in the preliminaries with a throw of 164-1 (50.01), Wilkinson finished seventh in the finals with a toss of 173-0 (52.73).

 

"I am happy to be here and I am just going to have to try out for the next Olympic team in four years,” said Wilkinson when asked about her performance.

 

"The experience,” said Wilkinson when asked about what she will take from the Olympic Trials. “It was crazy to have the whole stands full and cheering.”

 

Current Husker Epley Bullock competed in her first Olympic Trials on Monday night, but she was one of nine athletes in the 26 athlete field unable to clear the opening height in the preliminaries of the women’s high jump.

 

“I no heighted, which is my first no height in my career, but it doesn’t count because this is the Olympic Trials and opening height was 5-10 1/2 and that is really high,” said Bullock following the high jump. “With the season I have had, I have jumped over 5-10 once. I am a sophomore in college, I am here and it was awesome.”

 

Former Husker Brecky Breisch just missed out on making the Olympic Team after finishing fourth in the women’s discus finals on Sunday with a throw of 200-3 (61.04). Breisch was a two-time national champion at Nebraska, winning the outdoor shot put in 2003 and the discus in 2004.

 

Husker Athletes Still in the U.S. Olympic Trials (all times Central)

Dusty Jonas ? High Jump Prelims: Thursday, July 3 (9:25 p.m.)

Anne Shadle ? 1,500-Meter Prelims: Thursday, July 3 (9:30 p.m.)

Ann Gaffigan ? 3,000-Meter Steeplechase Finals: Thursday, July 3 (11:45 p.m.)

Melissa Price ? Hammer Throw Prelims: Thursday, July 3 (9 p.m.)

Jeni Steiner ? Shot Put Prelims: Thursday, July 3 (11:20 p.m.)