Carsyn Koch Runs World #2 1500m at Bryan Clay Invitational
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Last summer Cedarville University junior Carsyn Koch competed in the 800m race at the United States Olympic Trials after a very succesfull NCAA season that saw her win the indoor & outdoor NCAA Division Two national 800m titles.
Koch coming off another national title indoor in March at 800m kicked her outdoor campaign into high gear on Friday night at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azuza, California.
The former Washburn High School standout stepped up in distance to tackle the 1500m. She entered the race with a personal best of 4:24.26 from her freshman year, and a seasonal best of 4:32.29.
Koch didn't let those numbers get in here way though as she stayed in the middle of the pack for the first 800m of the race, covering that in 2:20. Feeling the pack slow Koch moved to the outside and strided her way to lead with 700m to go.
With a lap to go Koch continued to lead the field opening up a 4-5 meters lead as she hit the bell with 3:08 on the clock. Her lead continued to expand as she hit 200m to go at 3:39.
She would hold off the hard charging field down the homestretch stopping the clock at 4:12.19.
Koch was shocked at her time, "I had no idea" that I could run that fast.
"We had a rabbit in the race but she took us through the 800 about 3 seconds slow so I wasn't sure how the race would go after that!" She said of the race,
Her time is the fastest in the NCAA regardless of division after this weekend's action. It is also the second fastest time in NCAA D2 history behind only the Jessica Pixler's 4:11.06 from 2010. Additionally her effort ranks her second in the world 1500m rankings.
Koch ran again on Saturday at the Mt Sac Relays in the 800m where she clocked the fastest time in Division 2 this spring with a 2:06.36.
Looking ahead Carsyn will run the 800m at the Payton Jordan Invitational at Stanford University on 5/5.
Koch's Personal Bests
400m (outdoor) 54.60
800m (outdoor) 2:02.39 NCAA D2 record
800m (indoor) 2:05.12 NCAA D2 record
1500m (outdoor) 4:12.19 NCAA D2 #2
Mile (indoor) 4:44.74
