Courageous effort

For Nicole Bush, hurdling a barrier is second nature.

The recent Michigan State University graduate sees the path to a barrier like a triangle, judging the distance from her position on the track to the top and bottom of the obstacle.

But throw in the variable of that obstacle being set to a height other than what she expects and practices for, and that fluid motion is thrown off. That's exactly what happened Friday when a barrier was set to 33 inches, rather than 30, in a preliminary round of the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the U.S. track and field championships in Eugene, Ore.

"When I first approached the barrier, I couldn't say what was wrong, but something was definitely wrong with it," said Bush, who tripped on the third of seven and a half laps. "Something kept me from running harder to it (on the third lap). I was kind of sputtering and slowed down. I realized I needed to jump higher than I was used to."

She didn't make it. She tripped on the barrier at the water hazard and landed on all fours, fracturing her right foot. But that didn't stop the athlete who earlier last month was named MSU's female athlete of the year.

"I knew it was pretty bad when it happened, but I kind of forgot about it and got through the race," Bush said. "I didn't know how bad it was. I just knew I needed to qualify."

And she did. Running with a broken foot that was swelling with each step, Bush recovered to finish sixth and qualify for the final. Just before the fall, Bush was running stride for stride in front with eventual-winner Jenny Barringer.

"She is probably as tough of a person as anybody," said Walt Drenth, Bush's coach and the director of MSU's cross country and track programs.

Bush credited an adrenaline rush for helping her finish.

"I think a lot comes into play when you're competing: adrenaline, confidence for survival," she said. "I never broke anything. I've rolled an ankle, but you keep going and it goes away. In my head, I was still able to run, I got the limp to go away, so it seemed like the thing to do at the time. I guess I have a hard time understanding people who say, 'Oh my god, that's crazy.' It's not amazing. It's just what happened."

Bush wasn't able to run in the final. When she came off the track, medical personnel approached her and escorted her to the first aid tent. She felt her shoe was becoming loose during the race, but that was actually her foot getting bigger.

The swelling and discoloration were obvious once her shoe was removed, Drenth said, but it took X-rays to confirm a bone had fractured.

Instead of qualifying to run in August's World Championships in Berlin, Bush is expected to need six to 12 weeks of recovery time.

"It's a bummer," she said. "I took a big break off after cross- country and my body is definitely not ready to be done now. It's a strange feeling to be done when I'm not ready to be done. I'm not feeling burnt out. I want to keep running."

'Long road ahead'

U.S. Track & Field CEO Doug Logan confirmed the barrier was set at the wrong height. He took the responsibility, telling The Associated Press, "It's human error. I won't go any further than that. I don't throw people under buses." He also sought out Bush and apologized.

"It was really nice to be reassured they weren't completely overlooking it," Bush said. "It always helps when they can put a face to the name."

Drenth said Logan offered Bush support through two new programs U.S. Track & Field is developing: an emerging athlete support program that offers financial support and a medical program for athletes that will be based in Indianapolis. Drenth said Bush lost out on prize money and contract bonuses from finishing out of the top three in the final.

Drenth also said the barrier wasn't the only problem with the course.

"The dynamic of the race was changed," he said. "There was not as much water as there should've been in the pit. It was down about four inches. They really neglected it. It was an oversight.

"I don't want to cast blame and throw anyone under the train, but it was an oversight that definitely hurt Nicole."

He said he is confident Logan will make sure a similar problem does not happen again.

Bush said she just wants to focus on returning.

"I have kind of a long road ahead," she said. "I'll probably sit down, set some goals and figure out which direction to go from here."

Contact Sean Trapp at 377-1071.