PARIS OLYMPIAN James Corrigan faced an intimidating task here, confronted with a phalanx of talented Kenyans from six different universities, headed by list leader Geoffrey Kirwa (Louisville). But Corrigan, a BYU junior, is no stranger to challenges, after his last-minute scramble to obtain a Games qualifier in ’24. This would be different.
The semis provided a tale of two styles. The first set off at a pedestrian pace and accelerated only slightly until, with 2½ laps remaining, Mathew Kosgei (New Mexico) and Kirwa took over. Those two top seeds qualified easily, behind Eastern Kentucky’s Kristian Imroth’s PR-equaling 8:30.65.
The second semi was at least 10 seconds faster by lap 4, with Iowa State frosh Joash Ruto setting the pace. He was rewarded with a PR 8:22.94, which would have been fast enough to win 9 of the previous 10 finals. Behind him, a half-dozen ran faster than the first semi with all qualifying, including Corrigan.
Collins Kipngok (Kentucky) led the final early, soon replaced by Kosgei and Kirwa. With 5 laps remaining, the ambitious Ruto assumed the pacesetting. The runners remained together; 11 were still in contention with 4 laps to go.
Ruto continued to lead, and he and 5 others — Kirwa, Carson Williams (Furman), Kipngok, Corrigan and Kosgei — opened a 2-second lead on another group of 3. With 2 laps remaining, the pace increased dramatically, and near the bell Kirwa took off, gambling on a long sprint for home. Behind him in order were the surprising Williams, Corrigan, Kipngok and Ruto.
On the final backstraight, Corrigan, with a move reminiscent of his training partner Kenneth Rooks at the Olympics, shot out of the pack and drew even with Kirwa. These two matched strides over the penultimate hurdle, the water jump and the final hurdle, until Corrigan was able to pull away for the victory. His 61.1 last lap completed an excellent 8:16.41. Only Henry Rono’s legendarry ’78 meet record of 8:12.79 is a faster championship time.
Kirwa (8:17.12), Williams (8:19.71 PR), Ruto (8:20.47 PR), Kipngok (8:22.92) and Kosgei (8:23.70) followed, as 9 men bettered 8:30.
“I found myself rather than trying to go insane the last 300, to just be calm and controlled and give enough, but still get well over the barriers,” said Corrigan. “Although [Kirwa] had a gap, I could see there was no acceleration the last lap, and I felt good: this is my time to go. While I didn’t feel like I was going maybe 100%, I was certainly giving as much as I could safely. I think to win the NCAA Championships is really special because it shows that you can show up and win on the day. To me, it was a big goal, and I’m glad that I was able to pull it off.”
MEN’S STEEPLE RESULTS
FINAL (June 13; interior water jump)
1. *James Corrigan (BYU) 8:16.41 (CL) (4, 6 C)
(61.01, 2:05.69, 3:11.72, 4:18.54);
2. ***Geoffrey Kirwa’ (Louis-Ken) 8:17.12 (x, 7 C)
(63.39, 2:07.58, 3:13.26, 4:19.96);
3. Carson Williams (Furm) 8:19.71 PR (10, x C)
(64.33, 2:09.84, 3:15.66, 4:22.36);
4. ***Joash Ruto’ (IaSt-Ken) 8:20.47 PR (64.75, 2:10.10, 3:16.86, 4:23.56);
5. ***Collins Kiprop Kipngok’ (Ky-Ken) 8:22.92;
6. ***Mathew Kosgei’ (NM-Ken) 8:23.70;
7. **Benjamin Balázs’ (Or-Hun) 8:24.46 PR;
8. *Rob McManus (MtSt) 8:25.83 PR;
9. *CJ Singleton (NDm) 8:28.93;
10. **Silas Kiptanui’ (Tul-Ken) 8:32.20;
11. *Victor Kibiego’ (TxAM-Ken) 8:32.33;
12. *Kristian Imroth’ (EnKy-GB) 8:49.06.
SEMIS (June 11)
I–1. Imroth’ 8:30.65 PR; 2. Kosgei’ 8:31.14; 3. Kirwa’ 8:31.42; 4. McManus 8:34.54; 5. Kibiego’ 8:35.98; 6. *Nathan Davis (Army) 8:37.62 PR; 7. *Ryker Holtzen (Wy) 8:38.09; 8. *Brett Gardner (NCSt) 8:38.13; 9. *Peter Visser (Web) 8:40.84; 10. Declan Rymer (VaT) 8:41.59; 11. *Quinton Orr (IaSt) 8:44.02; 12. Andrew Nolan (MiSt) 8:45.83.
II–1. Ruto’ 8:22.94 PR; 2. Williams 8:24.33 PR; 3. Kiprop Kipngok’ 8:24.94; 4. Corrigan 8:24.97; 5. Kiptanui’ 8:25.51 PR; 6. Singleton 8:28.03; 7. Balázs’ 8:29.87 PR; 8. ***Bismack Kipchirchir’ (Akr-Ken) 8:35.58; 9. ***Ezekiel Pitireng (Al) 8:41.10; 10. **Kole Mathison (Co) 8:45.05; 11. ***Titus Kimaru’ (TxT-Ken) 8:45.55;… dnf—*Cody Larson (SDSt).
