Photo Courtesy of CU Sports Information Dept.

University of Colorado senior distance runner Brent Vaughn is seen here in action earlier this year. Vaughn has recently set a new CU 5,000-meter record. The Buffs will host the Big 12 Championships May 16-18.

Standing six-feet tall, with a thin build and a calm, personable demeanor, Brent Vaughn wouldn't really stand out in a crowd.

If this crowd were running the 5,000-meter, however, Vaughn would most certainly attract attention. He would be the one sprinting to the finish line, while the rest of the pack was left in the dust.

Vaughn is a redshirt senior at the University of Colorado who is amongst the best distance runners in the country. At the Cardinal Invite on May 4, Vaughn set a new CU record in the 5k with a time of 13 minutes and 18.46 seconds, an Olympic 'A' standard time and the fastest time by a collegian this year. That means he has qualified to participate in the US Olympic Trials this summer for a chance to represent the United States at the upcoming Beijing Olympics in China.

A man who is used to championship-level performance is CU track & field head coach Mark Wetmore. Through his 13 seasons as head coach at CU, Wetmore has seen his share of impressive athletes.

"Brent's performance of this past weekend is important and impressive on a level that a casual observer of track and field probably can't understand," said Wetmore.

Wetmore spoke about former CU stars that became Olympians, such as Adam Goucher, Alan Culpepper and Dathan Ritzenhein. Vaughn not only ran faster than them, he blew their times out of the water, beating the previous record, set by Jorge Torres, by more than six seconds.

One might think that all this could lead to some arrogance. That is certainly not the case with Vaughn. He is quietly confident and determined, without being boastful.

"I think his success--to a lot of people it's been shocking, but I think for him, it's expected," said Vaughn's wife and CU teammate, Sara. "He's always had big goals and big dreams. He's always known that he could achieve them."

Vaughn said he owes a lot to the CU coaches and trainers that have helped him improve his running and his overall health. They, along with his family life, are what have enabled him to achieve his goals.

His confidence comes from all the support around him, like Sara and the couple's 1 1/2-year old daughter, Ciara, who Vaughn says "has helped keep me balanced and helped keep everything in perspective."

Being a father has also led Vaughn to realize that "Running's not everything. There's a lot more to life."

If running were everything, however, Vaughn would be set. He looks to be in good shape going into the Olympic Trials this summer and says, "I have the confidence now that I feel like I have a shot to be in the top three."

A top three time at the Trials would qualify him to represent the US in the 5k in Beijing.

In his record-setting run last weekend, Vaughn had the benefit of competing against Bernard Lagat, a World Champion and Olympic silver medalist.

"It was exactly what I needed, to see that first hand and see what it takes to run with those [caliber runners]," said Vaughn.

Wetmore, too, saw something special in Vaughns performance, saying "It is his first [race] here that is truly indicative of his future career."

While his future as a potential Olympian and professional runner looks promising, Vaughn will also get to end his CU career on a high note. The Big-12 Track and Field Championships will take place in Boulder this year, May 16-18.

"I kind of get the chills thinking about it," said Vaughn.

CU has never won a conference track title and, for Vaughn, the perfect place to do it is at home. He praised CU's overall team ability in several different track and field events, and said he believes CU has a good chance to win it in Boulder.

As an Aurora, Colo. native, Vaughn will have the opportunity to end his memorable CU career in front of the people who mean the most to him.

"I have a lot of family and a lot of friends coming and all my high school coaches will be there," said Vaughn. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

.

Contact Eric Peterson about this story at (303) 443-6272 ext. 112 or sports@coloradodaily.com