Emma Coburn or Frerichs, who goes sub 9 first?

I think Emma goes sub-9 first, but Courtney ultimately ends up with the AR when all is said and done. Much bigger upside, newer both to the sport and the event itself. Nothing against Emma, to whom every female American steeplechaser will owe a massive debt in many years to come.

Remember that frerichs trains with Shelby houlihan and I’m pretty sure Shelby gets the better of her and Kate grace regularly.

You know who America’s top steepler could be... houlihan. Funny b/c her sister was a steepler. I bet 8:55 would be in her wheelhouse no doubt

Watching them run I believe Courtney has the more natural flowing running technique than Emma who looks a little stiff and rigid when she runs. I reckon Courtney has the greater upside as far as the future is concerned.

Also listening to Courtney being interviewed about the AR and Chepkoechs WR - she was very gracious and supportive of Chepkoechs run, and enthused over what a graceful runner she is. Emma made disparaging comments on twitter about Chepkoechs achievement - which she subsequently removed after receiving some backlash!

For this reason I hope Courtney breaks down the 9 min barrier before Emma. Courtney seems like a thoroughly likeable person, full of enthusiasm for her sport and all competitors.

Hill Run wrote:

Watching them run I believe Courtney has the more natural flowing running technique than Emma who looks a little stiff and rigid when she runs. I reckon Courtney has the greater upside as far as the future is concerned.

Also listening to Courtney being interviewed about the AR and Chepkoechs WR - she was very gracious and supportive of Chepkoechs run, and enthused over what a graceful runner she is. Emma made disparaging comments on twitter about Chepkoechs achievement - which she subsequently removed after receiving some backlash!

For this reason I hope Courtney breaks down the 9 min barrier before Emma. Courtney seems like a thoroughly likeable person, full of enthusiasm for her sport and all competitors.

I feel exactly the same way.

After running 9:00.85

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0CCrTG_5kA

I admire Emma for picking up the reigns and leading US female steeplers to the level it is today; however, Courtney has a more likeable personality judging from interviews. If Emma doesnt break 9 minutes in the next 3 years her time is almost over. Age and her confidence will be against her everytime she come close and fail. Courtney at age 25 has atleast 6-7 years of potential improvement; whereas, Emma has maybe 2-3.

I hope they both do it and because Emma lead the charge I hope she is first but I pray sweetheart Courtney ends up with the AR and go sub 8:50 before her career is over.

Why does everyone think Frerichs has a bigger upside?

Before this year her 1500 was 4:18.9. Double that is 8:33.8 for 3k which is probably close to what is equivalent to her 9:03 from last year at world's, maybe closer to 8:58ish. That's insane just thinking about it. If anything Frerichs is reaching her ceiling in terms of how much she can improve. Yeah, she's relatively young, but Jerry pushes his athletes very hard and she was already training around the best in the world right out of college. I wouldn't be surprised if she's close to her peak. How many of Jerry's athletes, especially on the men's side, have had these breakout couple of years and then they fall off? Emma had Jenny for a couple years who had already retired from the steeple and she had no real steeple coach like Pascal. Hell, just 2 years ago in 2016, Coburn got an Olympic medal and AR training by herself and being coached by her husband in his first year or coaching.

Plus, put them both in a 5k and Coburn would definitely win + Coburn has gone 4:05. Coburn has the full package. Frerichs beat her once and you guys are going bonkers. Put their performances in an excel spreadsheet over the years and duh Frerichs seems to have a more positive trend, it doesn't take a stats major to figure that out, but these 2 are already 11 and 9 seconds past what the AR was just 3 years ago (Jenny's 9:11). That's a lot. Statistics are a little less reliable at this point, because these 2 are in a unique situation.

We finally have 2 fast american distance women making moves on the circuit and the world stage, and all you guys want to do is pin them against each other. I hope they both go on to more world medals and sub 9's.

I have to disagree with the idea that Courtney is close to her ceiling. She has only been under new coaching for 2 years, and I feel like we are just seeing the beginning of what she is capable of. Her 1500m or is soft for her abilities. I am sure that she could lower it if she really wanted to. The 3000m Steeple is her focus and she has been excelling at it. I think the mental barrier of trying to beat Emma has finally been broken, which should perceivably help her to continue to improve.

I don't think certain people are trying to pit them against one another, just simply wondering who could potentially break 9 first. They both are great athletes and are doing a lot for their sport.

I agree with being pleased by how gracious Courtney always is in interviews. I also think Emma's running form seems a little off, though it must work for her because she's faster than any (most?) of us posters ever will be :) It just looks painful when her head bobs side to side sometimes. But again, it must be benefitting her somehow! I think Courtney's background in gymnastics really helps her with form (minus the toe flexing vs. pointing)

Wrong O wrote:

Coburn has not lost to an American since 2010. Dominant. 13-1 vs Courtney, who is really great too.

"Had not lost", not "has not lost".

ncrecuvuer wrote:

Why does everyone think Frerichs has a bigger upside?

I can't speak for "everyone" but I will answer for my reasoning.

Because Frerichs went from 54th in Missouri in her only year of HS xc to NCAA steeplechase record holder in five years and then to 9:00 American Record holder in another two years.

mo money mo problems wrote:

ncrecuvuer wrote:

Why does everyone think Frerichs has a bigger upside?

I can't speak for "everyone" but I will answer for my reasoning.

Because Frerichs went from 54th in Missouri in her only year of HS xc to NCAA steeplechase record holder in five years and then to 9:00 American Record holder in another two years.

When you put it like that... good answer!