Steelman wins 3k Steeple @ NACAC U23 Championship
Hannah Steelman donned the USA jersey for the first time in her career as she competed in the NACAC U23 Championship 3k steeple this morning in Queretaro, Mexico.
Steelman with the fastest personal best in the field controlled the race from the gun, eventually pulling away from Gabrielle Jennings of the US on lap five before going on to record a 26 second victory. She stopped the clock at 10:21.88. Given Queretaro is located 5971 feet above sea level and this was her first time competing at altitude the performance was very strong.
The NCAA conversion is around 21-22 seconds for a race at that height so at sea level the effort was similar to a 10:00 flat race.
In June at the NCAA Championship running for Wofford the former Orono High School standout finished in third place in a personal best 9:46.08.
She'll run next at the US Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa in the steeplechase first round on July 26th.
Also competing in the meet was Steve Smith, a former South Portland racewalk champion. Smith finished 4th in the 10k racewalk in a time of 44:37.07.