MSU's Justine Kiprotich finishes second in 1,500 at NCAA Track & Field Championships

EUGENE, Ore. – Michigan State track & field sophomore Justine Kiprotich earned All-American accolades by finishing second in the 1,500-meter run Friday at the NCAA Track & Field Championships at Historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Kiprotich moved from third to second in the closing seconds of the race, clocking in at 3:43.50.

New Mexico’s Josh Kerr won the gold medal with a time of 3:43.03. Mississippi’s Craig Engels finished third with a time of 3:43.54.

“It felt awesome with 400m to go. With 300m to go, I made my move and I was feeling great with that move. I am so excited, and I want to be in this position in every championship. It has been quite a journey,” Kiprotich said. “I am sad that it is over; it is bittersweet. I am happy with everything that I have accomplished because it’s my sophomore season. It is so amazing to represent the Green and White. Go Green!”

With 30m remaining in the race, Kiprotich had a solid hold on third place. He seemingly shifted into another gear to make a run for second place.

“I was almost settling for third, but I felt kind of good, so I was like ‘I might as well give it another gear and see what happens’ and it was good,” Kiprotich said.

Kiprotich becomes the first Spartan to earn first-team All-American honor at this year’s outdoor championships. Juniors Noah Gary and Tim Ehrhardt were named second-team All-Americans in the pole vault and decathlon, respectively. On the women’s side, senior Hannah Sailar (pole vault) and junior Jade Madison (javelin) were named third-team All-Americans.

- MSU Athletic Communications