Former Gator Cory McGee sets personal best but doesn't qualify for Olympic Team

Track and field can be a brutal sport. Only the best of the best get to advance to the world stage, and a new personal best for former Florida Gator Cory McGee, 32, in the 1500-meter race was somehow not enough to finish inside the top three and qualify for the Olympic Team.

The top six times broke the previous Trials record, set by third-place finisher Elle St. Pierre. Nikki Hiltz established the new record of 3:55.33, followed by Emily Mackay at 3:55.90 and St. Pierre at 3:55.99.

McGee finished in fifth with a 3:57.44, smashing her previous best by almost three full seconds.

“I just saw my coach and I said ‘How can I be upset?’ Obviously, mid-race, all I’m thinking is ‘win, top-3, I want to make the team,’ but I didn’t look at the time once. And when I finished, I waited and waited and waited and saw 3:57. As many people know, breaking four has been quite a conquest for me for some time and I did it today.

“But, for it to take 3:55 to make the team. All I can say is that the point is to send the strongest team to bring home medals and obviously that’s what the women’s 1,500 is doing right now.”

Of course, there is a level of disappointment after failing to make the podium, but McGee should be as encouraged as ever. She’s only getting faster in major events.

Cory McGee as a Florida Gator

It’s been a decade since McGee ran cross country for the Orange and Blue and claimed a 2013 SEC Championship in the 3000-meter race and DMR indoors and the 1,500-meter outdoor race. She was the NCAA runner-up in the 1,500 outdoors. Her best 1,500-time in college was 4:09.85 in a qualifying race for the 14th IAAF World Championships.

Since then, McGee has been a consistent presence in the international scene representing America. She’s laid the foundation for this level of competition in the event.

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