Completed Event: Track and Field versus NCAA Indoor National Championship on March 13, 2026 , , (M) 11th
Final
Track and Field
vs NCAA Indoor National Championship
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Friday, June 10
Eugene, Ore.
2:30 PM
University of Oklahoma
at
NCAA Outdoor Championships
Blankenbaker Places Fourth with Record Time
June 10, 2016 | Track and Field
EUGENE, Ore. - The 2016 outdoor season has been quite memorable for Sooner Dylan Blankenbaker on the track.
Several noteworthy performances throughout the outdoor schedule culminated in his first All-America honor in Eugene, Ore., on Friday. In record-setting fashion, Blankenbaker placed fourth at the NCAA Championships to earn a first-team award.
He ran a time of 8:34.69 to break the school record set last season by his training partner Brandon Doughty. All achieved in his first national appearance.
"Woooo," yelled head coach Jim VanHootegem as he and the other Sooner coaches celebrated. He regained his composure, slightly, to praise Blankenbaker.
"He got out in a good position and ran in fifth place most of the race," VanHootegem said. "We knew that late in the race Dylan would do a good job. He hung tough and stayed composed and was able to pick off a guy at the end. A school record - what a great job and great way to finish for OU here."
While Blankenbaker's final race of the season was one for the books, his semifinal race added to the significance of Friday's performance.
The junior found himself in last place after his opening race on Wednesday, one that found Blankenbaker stumbling over one opponent and being pushed from behind by another. He rolled off the track, but bounced back to finish the race.
The NCAA Committee reviewed the race and determined that he did not have an adequate opportunity to race and advanced Blankenbaker to the finals.
Unique moments highlighted the Sooner's championship season.
As a junior, Blankenbaker posted OU's then-second-best steeplechase time, 8:41.24. That time came after a passionate Big 12 performance where the San Diego, Calif., native dove head first across the finish line in a closely-contested finish. He fell short of a conference title by .03 seconds, but became an inspiration for his team.
The Sooner also finished as the NCAA West preliminaries' runner-up. After winning his heat in decisive fashion, he threw his hands up as he ran across the finish line. That race came after the field was delayed for several hours due to inclement weather. His 8:44.11 earned his first NCAA bid.
The Sooners end the season with six All-Americans. Jess Woodard (third - shot put), Julia Reedy (fourth - hammer throw) and Liz Herrs (eighth - javelin) joined Blankenbaker as first teamers. Daye Shon Roberson (12th - 400) and Tyler Renton (16th - javelin) earned a spot on the second team.
Several Sooners will begin their "Road to Rio" journey for the 2016 Summer Olympics and will compete at Olympic Trials for multiple countries, including the U.S., Canada and Great Britain.
For more information on OU track and field follow the team on Twitter @OU_Track, like the OUTrackandXC Facebook page and check out SoonerSports.com.
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