Jenny Barringer's Pro Signing Anticipation Builds, Drama Surfaces, and the Women's Steeple Finally Gets Respect

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Earlier this week, Flotrack announced that they will be broadcasting live Friday's press conference in New York where Jenny Barringer will announce her new sponsor. Barringer, who just finished her collegiate eligibility in November at the NCAA Cross-Country Championships, was one of the most sought after recruit as a high school senior and has topped herself as an even more in-demand professional prospect. She broke several collegiate records last year, became the 4th American woman to break the 4:00 barrier for the 1500m last May, and placed 5th at the World Championships in the steeplechase, shattering her own American Record by about 10 seconds.

Barringer appeared to be completely unstoppable and without limits until the NCAA Cross-Country Championships in Terre Haute in November, where she led for 3km before relinquishing her lead to Florida State's Susan Kujiken, and collapsing to the ground and getting up several times before crossing the finish line in an astonishing 163rd. (Click here to watch Barringer's very open and honest 22-minute interview with Flotrack the next day, where she chalks it up to a panic attack after putting loads of pressure on herself and trying to balance the rest of her life, which includes planning a wedding.)

It seems that someone wanted to crash Flotrack's party, because earlier today the Denver Post released a short news item claiming that Barringer will be signing with New Balance:

Boulder runner Jenny Barringer, who represented the U.S. in the 2007 world track and field championships and the 2008 Beijing Olympics while still a collegiate athlete at the University of Colorado, has accepted an endorsement deal to run professionally for New Balance.

 

Barringer won four NCAA titles at CU and two USA Track & Field steeplechase titles. Her multi-year deal with New Balance will be announced Friday at a New York press conference.

 

— John Meyer

Then there were some rumblings on the message boards and finally NewBalance.com put up this countdown: http://www.newbalance.com/

Now the question is: How much are they paying her?

I have to just sit back and watch this drama unfold and smile. She is not just a female athlete. She's a track & field athlete. She's not just a track & field athlete. She's a steeplechaser. The steeplechase was only added to the Olympic Track & Field program in 2008. It has struggled a long time for this kind of respect and attention. Our time has come!

http://www.steeplechics.com

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There are 2 comments on this post. Join the discussion!

hannel says:

I think it's great that the women's steeple finally get more attention, but also that the sponsors are paying the athletes who are great ambassadors for the sport we love!

How much New Balance is paying? I hope it's a lot!!!

Friday, January 29, 2010 at 3:54pm EST

anngaff says:

I wish I knew! Maybe the figure will come out eventually. She is a great ambassador for the sport for sure!

Friday, January 29, 2010 at 4:28pm EST

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