Morgan places 14th in Olympic 5000m Final

Former Cougar Whittni Morgan placed 14th in the Olympic 5000m Final Monday afternoon at Stade de France.

Author Mayci Taylor
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PARIS — Former Cougar Whittni Morgan placed 14th in the Olympic 5000m final Monday afternoon at Stade de France. 

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Morgan ran a career best of 14:53.57 to mark the first time she has ever run under 15 minutes in the 12 1/2 lap event. Her time was nearly nine seconds faster than her previous personal best of 15:02.07.

A 26-year-old from Panguitch, Utah, Morgan's 14th-place finish is the best a BYU track & field woman has placed at the Olympic Games since team USA's Amy Palmer placed eighth in the hammer throw at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. 

"What an opportunity this was to compete at my first Olympics" said Orton. "I am just so grateful. I ran my guts out today and I have no regrets. I am feeling extremely blessed and I am walking away with a lot of gratitude, fire, confidence and joy."

“I am so proud of that gutsy effort from Whittni. She finished 14th in the world and ran a nine second personal best on the biggest stage in an Olympic Final. I have no words other than that I am super grateful to be her coach and humbled to work with her. She made us all proud. ”

Diljeet TaylorBYU Women's Head Cross Country Coach / Associate Director of Track & Field

Up Next

Courtney Wayment will compete for an Olympic medal in the 3000m steeplechase final Tuesday at 1:14 p.m. MT.  Find all BYU-specific Olympic information here.