This summer has provided some very exciting track & field despite the fact that it is a non-Olympic, non-(professional) World Chmpionship year! From high school state championships to the NCAA championships to the USA Championships to the Diamond League, the track action has not disappointed.

As the week progressed and the many meets began to roll by, there were many performances that stuck out as contenders for Track & Field Life's Moment of the Week. Eventually, my selection became narrowed down to three, all of which coming out of the Glasgow Diamond League meet that took place on July 11-12 this weekend. One of such moments was Ashton Eaton taking second place in front of Olympic gold and silver medalists in the 400m hurdles with a personal best time of 48.69. Is there anything Eaton can't do??? Another moment that stood out was the return of the 800m king, David Rudisha, as he stomped a stacked field to win with a world lead-tying time of 1:43.34. While both of these races were outstanding performances and ton of fun to watch, there was only one race that could be chosen for the TFCC Moment of the Week, and that came from Colorado grad and New Balance athlete, Emma Coburn.

This weekend in Glasgow, Emma set a new American Record in the 3000m Steeplechase with a time of 9:11.42! The time brought down the 2009 AR of  9:12.50 set by Coburn's teammate and mentor, Jenny Simpson. The two athletes, since becoming teammates, have formed a great friendship and Simpson was happy to see Coburn break her record.

Emma ran a very tough race as she tucked in behind the rabbit from the gun and led the entire race until Ethiopian, Hiwot Ayalew, passed Coburn with 250m to go. Emma responded and passed Ayalew just before the water barrier. Coming out of the water, Ayalew and Coburn were even, but Hiwot Ayalew turned on the burners and had to run a World Leading time of 9:10.64 in order to beat Emma and take first in the race. All of the attention, though, was on Emma Coburn as she crossed the line and instantly knew she had broken the American Record as her time of 9:11.42 displayed on the big screen.

Having worked so hard, an emotional Emma Coburn said it was a tough race as she was running by herself most of the race, the same way she had had to run by herself the week before at the Paris Diamond League meet, but was beyond ecstatic to have finally broken the American Record with all of her family there to watch.

Congrats to Emma Coburn! Check back next Monday on Track&FieldLife for another TFCC Moment of the Week!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_v1yhFlnJc