Simpson, the reigning world champion in the event and a 2008 Olympian in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase, posted a time of 4:05.17. A mere 0.18 seconds separated Simpson and the top two finishers, as Morgan Uceny (adidas) turned in a time of 4:04.59 to edge Nike's Shannon Rowberry (4:05.11) for the top spot in the race.
Meanwhile, 2006 Air Force graduate and two-time NCAA champion Dana Pounds-Lyon concluded competition with a sixth-place finish in the finals of the women's javelin. Pounds-Lyon's effort of 180'11" was nearly 11 feet farther than her mark in Friday's qualifying round. Brittany Borman (Nike) won the event with a mark of 201'-9."
As with Pounds-Lyon, former UNLV student-athlete Christine Spence also saw her Olympic bid fall short when she placed seventh in the women's 400-meter hurdles, posting a time of 55.72. Lashinda Demus (Nike) finished first in the event with a time of 53.98.
UNLV 2012 grad Amanda Bingson and Rebels assistant coach Khadevis Robinson previously qualified in the women's hammer throw and men's 800 meters, respectively. The Olympic Games open in London on Friday, July 27.
Mick McGrane has covered the Mountain West since the league's inception in 1999. He spent 12 years at the San Diego Union-Tribune, where he served as the beat writer for San Diego State football and men's basketball. He currently represents the MW as a member of the Football Writers Association of America All-America Committee and is a member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. McGrane serves as senior writer to the Mountain West, providing readers with exclusive, in-depth information about the Conference by highlighting its 10 member institutions and contributing feature stories on student-athletes that participate in the league's 18 sponsored sports.
Mark Knudson is a Colorado State journalism school graduate and a 12-year veteran of professional baseball. During his playing career, Mark pitched for three major league teams, including the Colorado Rockies, where he was the first Colorado native to play for the hometown team. He recorded wins over three of the four legendary pitchers who make up the 4,000 strikeout club: Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens. His win over Ryan came for the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day in 1991.
Leave a comment