Corrigan Claims Conference Title in Steeplechase

WACO, Texas - James Corrigan took the overall victory in the 3000-meter steeplechase in 8:29.24 at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships Friday night at the Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium. 

Full Results

Corrigan became the first Big 12 Individual Men's Champion for the BYU track and field team and fourth individual conference champion for any BYU team. The sophomore from Los Angeles, California moved to match Kyle Perry's performance of the same time in 2009 for the No. 3 program all-time spot. Corrigan also bested the conference record in the event which was previously 8:32.59. He as well ran under the USATF Olympic Qualifying Standard for the event, 8:30.00. 

The race had a delayed start time of 11:30 p.m. CT because of a lightning delay. Corrigan and the Cougars toed the line four and a half hours later. Keeping in the the lead pack a majority of the race, Corrigan bested an Oklahoma State runner over the last barrier to take the victory. 

"I felt great with the race tonight," said Corrigan. "I'm proud of the team's effort. The race itself went well. It was a strategic move to go out really quick. I think we all handled it well and settled in. Our focus became 'Score, Score, Score'." 

The four other Cougars in the event each secured points for the team by placing in the top eight in the field. Each runner as well earned a new personal best in the event. 

3000-meter Steeplechase

Place	Name	Time
1.	James Corrigan	8:29.24
2.	Wyatt Haughton	8:42.91
3.	Garrett Stanford	8:48.80
4.	Caleb Johnson	8:51.27

"It was a really amazing race on his part," said director of track and field Ed Eyestone. "We knew he was fit coming in. He came back from the Payton Jordan Invitational with a new personal best. I knew that if tonight's race started the pace off hot he would be able to cover anything. He was reminiscent of his former teammate Kenneth Rooks. It was a big time performance for James, so we are super happy for him."

From the throws group, Danny Bryant threw 19.59m/64-3.25 in the shot put to take second overall. Bryant's sixth and final throw was good for a new personal best as well as No.6 all-time in program records.  

Jaden Roskelley finished day two of the decathlon with a new personal best 7325 points. Roskelley got a new personal in the final event, the 1500m, and crossed the line in 4:39.60. He beat his previous personal best in the event of 5:06.71. 

The BYU men's team concluded competition in the lead with 56 points through two days of competition. Iowa State sat in second with 44. 

"Our thrower's really came through," said Eyestone. "Danny's last throw was huge. I felt like that kind of inspired some of the steeplechase guys watching ahead of their race to perform well. I've just been super impressed with the team overall. It's fun to look up at the board and see 'BYU' in the first place spot. Now, we still have another big day coming ahead of us. We're going to do some more damage before this whole thing is over, so that'll be fun."

The Cougars conclude the Big 12 Outdoor Championships Saturday beginning with the women's pole vault at 11:00 a.m. CT. The events can be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with live results HERE.