EUGENE, Ore. — Ann Gaffigan won the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase back at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials.
But since the women’s steeplechase was not an Olympic event, the race was purely an exhibition. Unlike every other winner at the meet, Gaffigan didn’t go to Athens.
Back then, running the steeplechase wasn't exactly a worthy pursuit.
“There was a group of us who led the way in terms of being willing to try a brand new event when it was first available as an NCAA event in 2001,” said Gaffigan. “But there wasn't a team for us.