In the last CUI Sports mailbag of the semester, the staff tackles your questions about the newest CU steeplechase superstar, the CU Sports Performers of the Year Awards (CUSPYs) and the cycling team’s chances at the national championships.
1) Is Shalaya Kipp headed to the Olympics?
(CU Independent Graphic Illustration/Josh Shettler)
Junior track and field athlete Shalaya Kipp wowed the nation last weekend by running the fastest steeplechase time in the world this year with a time of 9 minutes, 43 seconds. Current CU senior Emma Coburn qualified for the Track and Field World Championships in Korea last year with the same time, so Kipp certainly has a shot at the world championships and a spot on the Olympic team. Kipp’s biggest competitors are former CU steeplechaser and American record-holder Jenny Simpson (Barringer) and Coburn. Coburn has not raced all track season so that she can peak in time for the world championships and the Olympics, so she is a probable contender. If Simpson (Barringer) chooses not to make an attempt for the Olympic team, Kipp’s chances at earning a spot will be much higher.
2) Who rocked this year’s CUSPYs?
Sophomore Andre Roberson of the CU men’s basketball team earned Male Athlete of the Year. Roberson broke the 50-year-old CU rebounding record, getting 401 boards throughout the season. He was also the only Pac-12 Conference player to average a double-double per game. Runners-up for the male award included skier Rune Oedegaard and track and cross-country runner Richard Medina. The Female Athlete of the Year was junior Shalaya Kipp, mentioned above for her steeplechase success. During the cross-country season, Kipp won the Rocky Mountain Shootout with the tenth-fastest time in school history. Kipp also led the Buffs in every cross-country race this season. Runners-up for the Female Athlete of the Year award included basketball player Chucky Jeffery, skier Erika Ghent and golfer Alex Stewart.
The CUSPYs also featured Career Athletic Achievement awards. Senior golfer Emily Talley won the female achievement award, having earned 35 school records throughout her time at CU. Senior football player Rodney Stewart earned the male achievement award. He finished his CU career with 3,598 rushing yards, the second-highest in school history. Stewart also has records for the most career rushing attempts, most career all-purpose plays, most career all-purpose yards and most career receptions by a running back in school history. He became the first player to lead the Colorado football team in rushing for four straight seasons.
3) What are your predictions for the CU cycling team this weekend at nationals?
The CU cycling team is headed to the Collegiate Road National Championships this weekend in Ogden, Utah. Currently ranked No. 1, the Buffs have a solid chance at taking the national title. The Buffs are also led by two No. 1 nationally-ranked individuals, Josh Yeaton and Heather Fischer, and one No. 2 ranked individual, Abby Mickey. Yeaton has a 35-point advantage over his closest competitor.
The mountain bikers of the CU cycling team have also performed well this season. In October’s Mountain Bike National Championships, the Buffs came in second behind five-time national champion, Fort Lewis. Fort Lewis is currently ranked No. 3 nationally.
Good luck to all the Buffs athletes who will be competing this summer. CUI Sports will see you next fall!
Contact CU Independent Sports Editors Marlee Horn and Caryn Maconi at Marlee.horn@colorado.edu and Caryn.maconi@colorado.edu.
