Sport: Track (steeplechase)
Age: 21
Local connection: Student at CU, grew up in Crested Butte
Previous Olympics: None
How made Team USA: Finished first at the Olympic Trials June 29.
2012: Concentrated on training for the Olympics, running only one competitive steeplechase before the Olympic Trials. She set a personal record (9:25.28) and was the top American at the Prefontaine Classic.
Career highlights: Coburn won the NCAA steeplechase title in 2011 and won the U.S. Outdoor title two weeks later, qualifying for her first world championships, where she finished 12th. This year she to concentrate fully on preparing for the trials and the Olympics.
At the , running the fastest time in the semifinals and cruising to an easy victory in the finals. She also did CU teammate Shalaya Kipp a favor, running a fast time (9:32.78) and pacing Kipp to the Olympic A standard, which she did not have going into the race. Kipp got the standard, finishing third, so both women will represent the U.S. in London.
