NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – Mizzou Track & Field senior Karissa Schweizer (Urbandale, Iowa) continued to add to her legacy as one of the most decorated student-athletes in Mizzou history on Saturday, setting the collegiate record in the 3000m run at the Millrose Games in New York City. Schweizer was the top collegiate finisher in the race, as she crossed the finish line fourth at 8:41.60.
Schweizer's time surpassed Colorado's Jenny (Barringer) Simpson's 2009 mark of 8:42.03, as well as the Mizzou school record mark of 9:06.39, which was set by Sabrina Dornhoefer in 1984. The mark is also the seventh-fastest time in the world this season, according to iaaf.org.
"It was an awesome atmosphere and race," said Schweizer. "I am extremely grateful for everyone that's helped me get to this point. Breaking Jenny Simpson's record means a lot to me, as she is someone I've looked up to throughout my running career.
"Karissa was on a mission to compete with some of the best runners in the world tonight," said Mizzou Track & Field assistant coach Marc Burns. "She was dialed in early, and covered every move during the race. I was really excited to see her take the lead with 800 meters to go, and was still be able to finish the way she did. A historic performance tonight, and one that we are very proud of at Mizzou."
"I'm thrilled for Karissa and Coach Burns," said Mizzou Track & Field head coach Brett Halter. "Karissa has embraced our team philosophy of effort, focus, choice and team while she and Coach Burns have developed the model coach-athlete relationship built on trust, communication, process orientation and fun."
Schweizer now holds top-five all-time NCAA marks in the mile run, 3000m run and 5000m run, all set this season. The Urbandale, Iowa, native clocked a time of 4:27.54 in the mile run at the Columbia Challenge (Jan. 27), the fourth-fastest time in NCAA history, and a 15:17.31 in the 5000m run at the BU Season Opener (Dec. 2, 2017), the fifth-fastest time in NCAA history.
For all the latest on Mizzou Track & Field, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (MIZ_TrackField).
RESULTS – TRACK EVENTS
3000m Run, Women – 4. Karissa Schweizer, 8:41.60 PR, SR, CR
