Glen Head's Brianna Nerud sets U.S. mark in Spanish meet

Glen Head's Brianna Nerud traveled all the way to Spain to prove she was the best the United States ever had.

Nerud, 17, a recent graduate of North Shore High School, took fifth place in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in the World Junior Championship in Barcelona's Montjuic Olympic stadium Thursday, coming in at 10 minutes, .72 seconds, an American junior record.

"I'm really happy about my race," Nerud said. "I had a lot of fun and it was great racing such competitive international athletes and representing my country on Team USA."

Her time makes her the fastest under-20 women's steeplechase runner in American track and field history, and the second fastest in North America. The previous U.S. mark was 10:00.88, set by Shelby Green in 2010.

"It's always wonderful when they work for something and they believe in you and buy into the system," said North Shore's Neal Levy, who coached Nerud since the eighth grade. "It's this sense of fulfillment. I'm so glad for her."

Her fifth-place finish was the highest ever for any American, Levy said. Kenya's Daisy Jepkemei won the event in 9:47.22.

Nerud, a New York state champion who will attend Syracuse on a full athletic scholarship, broke the national high school record in a world junior semifinal Tuesday, running a 10:08.15, more than seven seconds faster than the previous mark. It was that performance that earned her a spot as one of two steeplechase runners representing the United States in the final.

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"She was not a superstar at a younger age," Levy said, crediting Nerud's hard work to her singular success. "She was an OK middle school runner who managed to stay healthy and motivated."

In her senior campaign for North Shore, Nerud amassed a steady stream of victories. She helped lead North Shore to its third straight Class A title, and won state and Federation titles. With three more years in the under-20 division and the promise of a similarly accomplished track career at Syracuse, Levy said Nerud has her eye on an Olympic berth.

Said Levy: "If she keeps evolving and improving -- and there's no doubt in her motivation -- the Olympics are always a possibility."