Boise State University outlined on Mar. 26 the achievements and ongoing progress of its women’s steeplechase athletes, emphasizing both past successes and current contenders in the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.
The university’s history in the 3,000-meter steeplechase is marked by a series of notable competitors including Robin Wemple, Marisa VanderMalle, Marisa Howard, Minttu Hukka, and Allie Ostrander. Ostrander remains the most decorated student-athlete in Boise State history with three consecutive NCAA titles in the event. She is also recognized as one of only two Boise State athletes to win multiple national championships and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame last year.
Marisa Howard has also made significant contributions as a three-time Mountain West champion and two-time All-American. She qualified for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team with a time of 9:07.14—ranking eighth fastest globally—and won a silver medal at the Pan American Games in 2019.
Building on this legacy are current Broncos Hanna Ackermann, Emily Jobes, and Abby Kendrick—all members of Boise State’s Top 5 Performance List for the steeplechase. Ackermann recently became the first woman since Ostrander to qualify for nationals in this event after posting a personal best at regionals. Jobes achieved fourth-fastest all-time status at Boise State despite overcoming an ankle injury last spring, while Kendrick set her own personal record during her strongest season yet before preparing for one final year due to an injury extension.
In June 2024, Pat McCurry was named head coach for track and field as well as cross country teams at Boise State. McCurry previously coached several world-class athletes—including Howard—during his earlier tenure with Broncos middle-distance runners. “I am honored to take on the responsibility of serving our student-athletes in this role,” said McCurry.
Howard has joined McCurry on staff following her Olympic debut; she described elite steeplechasers as those who “can stay calm amongst chaos” while navigating barriers late into races—a sentiment echoed by current athletes who credit her mentorship with fostering consistency and gratitude within their training culture.
Looking ahead, all three Bronco standouts aim to build upon their improvements during upcoming meets beginning April 3-4 across several locations including Las Vegas and California—with local fans able to watch them compete at home later that month.
