Stevens ‘14 runs Colorado’s fastest mile there appeared to be nothing that could stop tabor stevens this spring, as the distance runner made national headlines with his historic performances. The Cañon City, Colorado, native shined during the 2015 outdoor season after successfully defending his individual cross country title in December. Stevens’ wave of headlines began in Palo Alto, California on April 4 at the Stanford Invite. With a 3000 meter steeplechase time of 8:32.50, Stevens not only finished first, but set a new school record and established the Tabor Stevens (front, center) captures his third consecutive 3000 meter steeplechase title in Alworld’s fastest time in 2015, lendale, Michigan, on May 22. according to the International Association of AthletAt the NCAA DII National Cham17, beating the previous record by over ics Federations (IAAF). pionships in Allendale, Michigan, May two seconds. Although Stevens admitAlthough his IAAF top mark was 21-23, Stevens concluded his collegiate tedly fell short of reaching a sub-foureventually bested, Stevens quickly career with a pair of individual titles in minute mile, his efforts landed him a placed himself atop another category by featured front page article in the sports the 3000 meter steeplechase and the running the fastest-ever mile time 5000 meters. His 3000 meter steeplesection of The Denver Post and interrecorded on Colorado soil. Stevens acchase time of 8:44.40 propelled him to views on a number of regional televicomplished this feat with a time of a third consecutive crown in the event. sion networks. 4:01.27 at the La Junta Relays on April He followed with a mark of 14:14.42 in He returned to the track May 2 at the 5000 meters in what would be his the Payton Jordan Invitational, hosted final appearance for Adams State. by Stanford University, and set a new Stevens’ remarkable figures earned NCAA Division II record in the 3000 him the distinction of Track Athlete of meter steeplechase. Stevens’ time of (2011-2015) the Year for both the Rocky Mountain 8:26.81 bested his previous school Athletic Conference (RMAC) and the record and dethroned Kim Hogarth • 17-time All-American U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country (Western State Colorado University) as • 7-time individual NCAA Division II National Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) the NCAA DII record holder. Champion South Central region. He was also "It was painful, but I just knew it • Member of 4 NCAA Division II National named the USTFCCCA NCAA DII was going to be a good time, so I went Championship teams National Track Athlete of the Year for really hard," Stevens said of his record the second consecutive outdoor season. setting performance. • 2-time NCAA Division II Cross Country NaOff the track, Stevens was an RMAC Stevens opened that historic race tional Athlete of the Year with a 1:42.05 lap and continued to re- First Team All-Academic and Capital • 2-time NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & One Academic All-District selection. duce his lap time throughout, eventuField Track Athlete of the Year ally clocking an impressive 1:06.92 final By Michael Skinner lap.
stevens’ stats
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aStater summer 2015