Alumni in Action: Val Constien competes in Oslo Diamond League

There isn’t much more the steeplechase can throw at Val Constien at this point.

The former Battle Mountain and CU runner dealt with chronic injury and illness early in her career. She knows how it feels to be underappreciated and unsponsored despite holding Olympic credentials (two, in fact). In 2023, she landed awkwardly out of the water jump and tore her ACL in her Diamond League debut, only to come back and set an Olympic Trials record in her signature event the following year. Going into last week’s Oslo Diamond League meet, Constien — who started working with a new coach in the fall — was primed to demonstrate her new fitness.

“I felt ready to run a fast time,” Constien posted on social media after the race at Bislett Stadium. “But the universe had other plans.”

The two-time Olympian positioned herself in the top 10 through the early laps. Coming down the homestretch into the first kilometer checkpoint, an athlete in front of Constien tripped. The 29-year-old Vail-born runner tried to adjust her hurdle form but wound up tripping over the immovable barrier and flipping onto the track.

“There was no time to react, and I hit the barrier and then the track at full speed,” Constien continued. “I got up as fast as possible and tried to get back into position. My body hurt from the impact, but I kept running.”

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Constien — whose personal best of 9:03.22 is the third-best mark in American history — managed to finish in 9:32.87 despite the fall, finishing ninth. Kenyan Faith Cherotich sprinted past defending Olympic champion Winfred Yavi to claim the win in 9:02.60. Courtney Wayment (9:13.65) was the top American in sixth.

“I’m proud of myself for finishing the race. It would have been much easier to step off the track,” Constien stated in her Instagram post. “While I’m incredibly disappointed and angry, I have to remind myself that it could have been much worse. I walked away from the race with some nasty cuts and bruises, but nothing serious.”

The Nike athlete is slated to run at the Pre Classic in Eugene, Oregon on July 5. The premiere Diamond League on American soil serves as a tune-up for the USATF Outdoor Championships, also held at Hayward Field, on July 31 to Aug. 3.
“I have one more Diamond League race on the calendar,” Constien said. “And I’m ready to run at my potential.”

Middaugh nabs silver medal at Americas Triathlon Championships

Sullivan Middaugh claimed a silver medal at the Americas Triathlon Championships in Calima, Colombia on June 7. The 2022 Battle Mountain graduate — who won his first continental cup event a year ago at the same location — completed the draft-legal road triathlon in 1 hour 53 minutes, 30 seconds to finish just 18 clicks behind Chilean Olympian Diego Moya. Middaugh said on social media after the event that the hilly course — which sat at 5,000 feet of elevation — suited him well.

“I came out of the water with a 1:36 deficit but worked hard in the bike pack and caught the leaders right before T2,” he added.

Middaugh ripped the 40-kilometer bike in 55:47, the fastest on the day in the 65-athlete field. He completed the 10-kilometer run in 34:22 to nab the runner-up overall position and top U23 spot.

Braxton Legg (1:56:26) was the next American finisher, placing 15th. Sullivan’s younger brother and USA Project Podium teammate, Porter, made it 22 minutes into the bike before suffering a puncture and ultimately posting a DNF.

The following day, Sullivan Middaugh teamed up with Legg, Michelle Magnani and Jimena Renata De La Peña Schott to win the mixed relay event. Each athlete swam 3 kilometers, biked 7 kilometers and ran 1.2 kilometers. Middaugh’s split (20:36) was the fastest in the field, helping the Americans defeat Team Canada by 15 seconds.

“Thanks to my teammates for putting me in a great position to finish it off,” Middaugh posted on Instagram.

Middaugh, who has moved up from 90th to 61st in the world rankings, plans to spend the summer in Park City with his Project Podium teammates.

“Super happy with the progress I have made so far this year,” he stated.