Culp Win Steeplechase at Michael Johnson Classic

April 18, 2003

WACO, Texas - Sooner freshman Blake Culp won the 3,000-meter steeplechase Friday night at the Michael Johnson Classic. It was Culp's first time to compete in the steeplechase collegiately.

Culp finished with a 9:36.85, nearly 11 seconds ahead of second place and just 25 seconds away from the NCAA regional qualifying mark. The time is also the ninth best in the Big 12 this season.

The only other Sooner to compete on Friday was Barbara Phillips. The Sooner sophomore finished third in the hammer throw. Phillips threw the hammer 136-4. The mark was a career best for the Sooner and ranks as the second best throw in school history.

The rest of the Sooner team will start competition in the meet Saturday. Field events begin at 9 a.m. with the running prelims set to start at noon.

Michael Johnson Classic Results
Women Hammer Throw -- 1 Vao Faoa, New Mexico State, 148-5 (45.24m); 3 Barbara Phillips, OU, 136-4 (41.56m)

Men 3000 Meter Steeplechase -- 1 Blake Culp, OU, 9:36.85