McManus Finishes Eighth for First Team All-American Honors in Steeplechase

EUGENE, Ore. — Rob McManus ended a memorable year for the Montana State track and field program on Friday night, finishing eighth in the national final of the 3,000 meter steeplechase to earn First Team All-American honors at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. 

McManus, a senior from Cashmere, Washington, clocked a lifetime best 8:25.83 to become Montana State’s fourth different First Team All-American in the event. 

On a cool, cloudy evening at Hayward Field, the veteran navigated his way through a talent-stacked field in what ended up being one of the fastest championship NCAA steeple races ever.

BYU’s James Corrigan, who represented Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, took the title in 8:16.41, with Louisville’s Geoffery Kirwa in second with a time of 8:17.12. 

McManus’ personal-best time of 8:25.83 not only improves his own No. 2 all-time mark in program history, but was also the 11th-fastest race run by an American this year and the 88th-fastest race run by an American ever. 

“It definitely means a lot,” McManus said. “Going into this race, Coach and I definitely thought it might be pretty quick and that I might need to run a PR to do well. I’m just happy to go out and do that. It’s my first final, and to get First Team All-American means a lot because it’s something I’ve been working towards for a while.” 

Friday’s eighth-place finish marks the fourth All-American honor of McManus’ career, putting him second all-time on the track in school history behind only the six earned by Duncan Hamilton (2019-23). 

“It was a great race by Rob,” Weese said. “The field was very strong this year, so he was up against some great competitors across the board. The level of the NCAA steeple has increased over the last few years, which is good. Rob looked good during the race, and raced well. He positioned himself well throughout the race and got in there for First Team All-American honors, so it was overall a great day.” 

McManus now joins former teammates Hamilton and Levi Taylor (2020-24) as Bobcats that earned All-American honors in the steeplechase in three straight seasons.  

“It means a lot to carry on that legacy,” McManus said. “Those guys that came before me—Levi Taylor, Duncan Hamilton—they really set the standard and showed me how to compete and what it’s like to compete in the steeplechase at the national level, and I owe a lot of my success and my drive to them.” 

McManus earned Second Team All-American honors in the steeplechase in both 2024, when he took 13th and 2023, when he took 15th. This past March, he also earned Second Team All-American honors in the indoor mile, finishing 15th. 

“It’s pretty special going three-for-three so far on his qualifications for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He has put together an incredible career so far and he still has another year to go, but it means a lot for him to keep that legacy going that Duncan, Levi, and Owen Smith got really solidified over the last few years. We’re looking forward to another year from him.” 

Montana State has now earned ten steeplechase All-American honors since 2021, with four First Team accolades in that span. 

Friday night in Eugene marked the end of an unforgettable year for McManus that included All-Big Sky and All-Region honors in cross country and qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the mile, where he finished 15th for Second Team All-American honors. Outdoors, McManus won his second straight Big Sky title in the steeplechase before clocking the fourth-fastest time at the NCAA West Regional and making it through the national semifinal despite a fall on the last water barrier. It all came to a head Friday night with a PR and First Team All-American honors in his signature event. 

“It’s definitely one of the better all-time years by a distance runner in Montana State history,” Weese said. 

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