Updike Qualifies for 3000m Steeplechase Final at U.S. Olympic Trials

7/5/2016 1:25:49 PM

EUGENE, Ore. – Former Eastern Oregon University track & field standout Isaac Updike finished fifth in his preliminary heat in the 3000m steeplechase, qualifying the Alaska native for Friday's final at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials.
With the top 14 advancing to the final, Updike snagged 13th overall after carding an overall time of 8:37.14. Nike's Donn Cabral raced his way to the top spot with a mark of 8:26.96.
"Going in I obviously had the mindset of making it to the finals," said Updike. "But the race got out extremely slow and it threw me off. I knew I just had to keep contact with the front pack and battle late for one of the top five spots."
Updike said the race came down to the final 600m, as he passed a pair of runners who fell and flew by another competitor to capture the final automatic-qualifying spot in his heat.
"At that point I just thought about trying to race as hard as I could against the clock," said Updike. "But I think the fact that we shifted gears so abruptly at the end, people went lactic fast and all of the falling happened. I just happened to be in the right position and mentally checked-in to capitalize on the mistakes others made on the last lap."
The 3000m steeplechase final is set for Friday at 5:23 p.m. To follow live stats, click here. To watch live video (pay-per-view) of Friday's race, click here.