Fresh off steeplechase win, Ostrander enters Olympic trials with shot to make Team USA
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Soldotna’s Allie Ostrander won the elite women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase on Saturday at the Portland Track Festival, heightening the anticipation whether she will be fast enough to make the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2024 Paris Games.
Ostrander finished Saturday’s race in 9 minutes, 24.70 seconds, just three seconds off the meet record set in 2021 by Courtney Frierichs, her old collegiate rival from New Mexico University. With her victory, Ostrander outraced over 30 competitors, a mixture of NCAA and professional runners from mostly the United States. Second-place finisher Pamela Kosgei of New Mexico also cracked the 9:30 mark with a time of 9:28.88, and Parul Chaudhary of the Indian National Team placed third with a time of 9:31.38.
“It’s been so long since I won a track race — four and a half years,” Ostrander says in a YouTube video. “So to be able to get one, get that personal best that I was dreaming of, was amazing.”
Steeplechase runners receive an automatic qualification to the Olympic trials for running the 3K in 9:41 or faster, according to USA Track & Field. The trials kick off June 21 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
The steeplechase has proven to be one of Ostrander’s greatest strengths over her illustrious career, having claimed a record three consecutive Division I titles in college while competing for Boise State. Prior to that, Ostrander blazed a path in Alaska, setting records on the cross-country trails and tracks around the state.
As a pro, Ostrander has shared publicly about several major hurdles away from the track, including her positive drug test and ensuing temporary running ban by United States Anti-Doping Agency and devastating struggle with an eating disorder.
Ostrander’s return included signing a contract with the shoe company NNormal.
“It’s more than just a win,” Ostrander shared with her 132,000 Instagram followers on Sunday. “It’s progress, and it feels f$&@ing amazing. So grateful to all the people in my corner who have been with me every step of the way. Let’s keep this going.”
Ostrander bagged $1,000 for the win.
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