AUSTIN, Texas – Redshirt junior Emily Borchers concluded her record-breaking and championship season at the 2019 NCAA Track and Field Championships Thursday night.

Borchers ran in the first, 12-person heat of the 3000m steeplechase. She fell after the first water pit and was never able to recover distance lost, but did finish strong with a time of 11:08.38 (which is a full minute off of her school-record time of 10:08.39).

"She had a bit of bad luck. Her foot slipped on the first water barrier. Never had that happen before in practice or competition," said head coach Jason Ordway. "When something like that happens in a championship-style race, it's nearly impossible to come back from. She fought all the way through the line."

"This was not the plan of the race, but I'm happy with the fact that I got up and I finished the race," said Borchers. "I could have given up but I did the best I could and represented the school."

The top time was delivered in the second heat by two-time defending national champion Allie Ostrander of Boise State in 9:44.32. The last qualifier for the NCAA finals was senior Brianna Ilarda of Providence in 10:00.39.

Borchers finishes 2019 as one of the top 24 steeplechasers in NCAA Division I. She is a two-time Atlantic 10 champion in the event, UD's record holder, and a two-time NCAA East Preliminary qualifier.

"This season has been a continuous progression and I'm very thankful for the coaching staff and my teammates for pushing me," added Borchers. "I wish I could have performed better, but glad I was able to represent the program here and gain some valuable experience. I'll use this fall this year on this first water pit as motivation to keep me going for next year."

She returns for her senior season next year, along with Kelly Wilker, who will be a junior and qualified for the NCAA East Prelims as a sophomore this year.

"She'll come back stronger than ever," said Ordway. "Emily has had a fantastic season. This doesn't detract from that. If anything this will make her hungrier for the future and we'll build on this and bounce back and get better."