EUGENE, Ore. — Yale senior Kayley DeLay entered truly historic territory in the sport of track and field Saturday. In the 3000m steeplechase finals at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, DeLay utilized the magic of Hayward Field and raced herself to a mighty second-place finish, running an astonishing time of 9:25.08.
To encapsulate DeLay's stunning first team All-American performance: her time destroys her previous school record and personal best in the event by more than 15 seconds, and ranks as the third-fastest 3000m steeplechase time ever in NCAA competition. Collectively gathering all collegiate athletes and their respective performances in competition within the NCAA and outside of the NCAA, such as at the Olympics, DeLay is the sixth-fastest NCAA steeplechaser ever and has the 11th fastest time ever by an NCAA athlete.
DeLay's time in NCAA competition places her above athletes who have achieved some of the most prestigious honors in track and field. That includes very familiar names in the global track and field community, such as Emma Coburn, who finished first at the 2017 World Championships in the 3000m steeplechase and currently holds the American record in the 3000m steeplechase. Also on that list is multiple-time Olympian and bronze medalist Jenny Simpson. Finally, in regards to the Olympics and the World Championships, DeLay's time meets the qualifying standard for the World Athletics Championships.
The race started out with DeLay positioning herself in the middle of the field for the first few laps, then quickly and confidently responding to Brigham Young University's Courtney Wayment's surge halfway through the race. DeLay was the only athlete to respond to Wayment's move, which allowed DeLay to move effortlessly past the rest of the field and continue to hold her gap to the finish line. DeLay's persistence to hold her position all by herself requires experience, and fortunately DeLay has developed great maturity during her time as a Yale Bulldog.
"One of the most valuable things about last year [when competition was limited by the pandemic] was Kayley had to train a lot on her own," said Head Women's Middle Distance and Distance Coach Taryn Sheehan. "Coming into this meet, it felt a little more familiar and it didn't have all sort of the same fanfare. It felt comfortable and familiar… She learns from all her experiences and is so resilient."
"Her run was courageous and confident," said Mark T. Young '68 Director of Cross Country and Track and Field David Shoehalter. "Her season this year has to be ranked amongst the most successful in the history of Yale and the Ivy League."
DeLay was all smiles as she crossed the finish line in her final NCAA competition as a Bulldog, and her performance also extended her season further into June. Her mark guarantees her a spot at the 2022 USA Track and Field (USATF) Outdoor Championships, which is also held at Hayward Field, from June 23rd to June 26th. Depending on her placement there, her time would guarantee her a spot at the World Athletic Championships, also being held in Eugene, from July 15th to July 24th.
Results of the meet can be found at ncaa.com.
