University of Minnesota Athletics
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/ Men's Track & Field
Obsa Ali Breaks School Record at Payton Jordan Invitational
5/2/2019 10:38:00 PM | Men's Track & Field
STANFORD, Calif. – Defending NCAA and Big Ten 3,000 meter steeplechase champion Obsa Ali broke his own school record on Thursday night as the redshirt senior made his season debut in the event at Stanford's Payton Jordan Invitational.
A native of Richfield, Minn., Ali clocked an 8:31.15 to finish fifth overall on Thursday night at Cobb Track and Angell Field. The race boasted the top two 3,000 meter steeplechase performances in the NCAA this season with Ali currently standing second behind race winner Ryan Smeeton of Oklahoma State at 8:27.90.
Ali has now set the University of Minnesota 3,000 meter steeplechase record three times in the last 12 months. He originally broke Don Timm's nearly 47-year old record last May at the NCAA West Preliminary before clocking a time of 8:32.23 on June 8, 2018 to become the first Maroon & Gold runner to capture a national championship in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
The three-time All-America selection will now look to defend his Big Ten title in the discipline next weekend at the 2019 Big Ten Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Iowa City, Iowa (May 10-12).
A native of Richfield, Minn., Ali clocked an 8:31.15 to finish fifth overall on Thursday night at Cobb Track and Angell Field. The race boasted the top two 3,000 meter steeplechase performances in the NCAA this season with Ali currently standing second behind race winner Ryan Smeeton of Oklahoma State at 8:27.90.
Ali has now set the University of Minnesota 3,000 meter steeplechase record three times in the last 12 months. He originally broke Don Timm's nearly 47-year old record last May at the NCAA West Preliminary before clocking a time of 8:32.23 on June 8, 2018 to become the first Maroon & Gold runner to capture a national championship in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
The three-time All-America selection will now look to defend his Big Ten title in the discipline next weekend at the 2019 Big Ten Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Iowa City, Iowa (May 10-12).
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