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Bush Narrowly Misses Olympic Qualification, Places Fourth at U.S. Trials
 
Spartan All-American runs personal best, 9:40.27, in the 3000m steeplechase finals at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
 
 
 

 
Nicole Bush ran a personal record time to place fourth in the 3000m steeplechase at the U.S. Olympic Trails last night.
 
 

July 4, 2008

EUGENE, Ore. - Michigan State track & field All-American Nicole Bush ran the best race of her young career late last night, but finished just short of her goal of making the United States Olympic Team. Bush ran a personal best time of 9:40.27 in the finals of the 3000m steeplechase to finish fourth in front of a sold out crowd at Heyward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore.

Bush, who cut more than nine seconds off her previous personal mark (9:49.53) set in Monday night's preliminary race, needed a top-three finish to make the Olympic Team. Anna Willard, who set a new American record (9:27.59), Lindsey Anderson and Jenny Barringer will represent the U.S. in Beijing.

Bush, an All-American in the steeplechase in 2006 and 2007, redshirted her 2008 outdoor season in order to prepare of this opportunity. She currently holds the school record in the event (9:56.68) and entered the trials ranked eighth in the field.