July 22, 2010
• Results | IAAF World Junior Championships
MADISON, Wis. -- Things don't always go according to plan, and that was just fine with Emily Sisson on Wednesday.
Sisson, who will join the Wisconsin women's track and field team as a freshman this fall, smashed the U.S. high school record in the 5,000 meters on her way to a sixth-place finish at the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada.
The performance came on the heels of Sisson's 10th-place finish in the 3,000 meters Monday, and came in a race she ran "just for fun."
A native of Chesterfield, Mo., Sisson made the most of her final race as a high school athlete. She clocked in at 15:48.91, a time that was nearly four seconds faster than the previous prep record of 15:52.88 set by Caitlin Chock at world juniors in 2004.
"I went along for the ride with a fast pack," Sisson told USATF.org. "I didn't feel too exhausted after the 3K, and I am so glad I ran this.
"I didn't even know what the national record was, and I am so excited to break it at this big meet."
To put Sisson's time in perspective, the mark would rank No. 5 on the Badgers' all-time 5,000 meters list. Only five athletes in UW's storied distance running history have cracked the 16-minute mark.
Sisson's performance also equals the second-highest finish ever by an American in the world junior 5,000, as Chock placed fifth in 2004.
"I was more excited than nervous, because I came in with my focus on the 3K, and this was just for fun," Sisson said. "It was different being able to hang off their pace and not have to do all the work."
Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba won the world title in 15:08.06, with a pair of Kenyans just behind in Mercy Cherono (15:09.19) and Alice Aprot Nawowuna (15:17.39).
Wisconsin's track programs also will be represented this week by incoming freshman Gregory MacNeill, who will run for Canada in the men's 4x100-meter relay prelims on Friday.
Wisconsin at the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships
• Men's 10,000 Meters: Mohammed Ahmed (CAN) - 4th (29:11.75)
• Women's 3000 Meters: Emily Sisson (USA) - 10th (9:16.80)
• Women's 5000 Meters: Emily Sisson (USA) - 6th (15:48.91)*
• Men's 4x100-Meter Relay: Gregory MacNeill (CAN) - Friday, 6:10 p.m.
* U.S. high school record
