# Sara Vaughn (athlete)

Sara Vaughn (born May 16, 1986) is an American middle-distance runner. Vaughn placed 18th in the women's 1500 metres at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics. Vaughn placed 10th in 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Women's 1500 metres at the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships.

## Professional

On December 5 2021, Sara Vaughn won the 2021 California International Marathon in 2:26:53. This victory was her debut at the marathon distance and follows her 5th place 1500 m race at Diamond League Prefontaine Classic in August. Vaughn place 22nd at New York Road Runners United Airlines NYC Half-Marathon in 1:12:56. Vaughn place 21st at 2022 Boston Marathon in 2:36:27. On October 9, Sara Vaughn placed 7th at 2022 Chicago Marathon in a personal best time of 2:26:23. Vaughn finished sixth in the 2024 New York City Marathon in a time of 2:26:56 and was the first American finisher.
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
| Representing the United States ||||||
| 2012 | 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships | Istanbul | 10th | 1500 m | 4:17.46 |
| 2017 | 2017 World Championships in Athletics | London, UK | 18th | 1500 m | 4:06.83 |
| USA Track and Field Championships ||||||
| Unattached ||||||
| 2009 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 10th | 800m | 2:04.87 |
| representing Adidas ||||||
| 2011 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 15th | 1500m | 4:15.30 |
| representing Nike ||||||
| 2012 | USA Indoor Track and Field Championships | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 3rd | 1500 m | 4:18.25 |
| 2012 | US Olympic Trials | Eugene, Oregon | 13th | 1500 m | 4:30.89 |
| 2013 | USA Indoor Track and Field Championships | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 4th | Mile | 5:08.47 |
| Unattached ||||||
| 2013 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Des Moines, Iowa | 27th | 3000 m steeplechase | DNF |
| representing Brooks Running ||||||
| 2014 | USA Indoor Track and Field Championships | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 10th | 1500 m | 4:22.93 |
| 2014 | USA Indoor Track and Field Championships | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 3rd | 3000 m | 9:26.46 |
| 2014 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Sacramento, California | 12th | 3000 m steeplechase | 9:56.36 |
| 2016 | US Olympic Trials | Eugene, Oregon | 7th | 1500 m | 4:10.28 |
| 2017 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Sacramento, California | 3rd | 1500 m | 4:07.85 |
| representing New York Athletic Club ||||||
| 2018 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Des Moines, Iowa | 23rd | 1500 m | 4:16.50 |

## NCAA

While competing for the Buffs, Sara received All-American honors. Sara set top 15 time in University of Colorado Boulder history at 2007 Cardinal Invitational 1500 meters in 4:19.70.
Representing Colorado Buffaloes :
| School Year | Big 12 Cross Country | NCAA Cross Country | Big 12 Indoor Track | NCAA Indoor Track | Big 12 Outdoor Track | NCAA Outdoor Track |
| 2008 Senior | 8th | 31st | Mile 4th 4:47.42 | Mile 17th 4:55.72 | 1500m 11th 4:42.10 | |
| 2008 Senior | 8th | 31st | 3000m 9th 9:48.07 | Mile 17th 4:55.72 | 1500m 11th 4:42.10 | |
| 2008 Senior | 8th | 31st | DMR 9th 11:54.95 | Mile 17th 4:55.72 | 1500m 11th 4:42.10 | |
| 2007 Junior | | | | | 1500m 3rd, 4:29.86 | 1500m 22nd 4:26.26 |
| 2007 Junior | | | | | 4x400m 11th, 3:54.32 | |
| 2006 Sophomore | 53rd | | 3000m 21st 10:11.85 | | | |
| 2006 Sophomore | 53rd | | 1000m 13th | | | |
| Representing Virginia Cavaliers |||||||
| School Year | ACC Cross Country | NCAA Regional Cross Country | ACC Indoor Track | NCAA Indoor Track | ACC Outdoor Track | NCAA Outdoor Track |
| 2005 Freshman | 53rd 24:36.8 | 52nd 21:52.3 | | | | |

## Prep and personal life

Sara Vaughn was born in small western Nebraska town of Gering, Nebraska, Sara attended Gering High School in Gering, Nebraska prior to garnering degrees in Psychology and Spanish from University of Colorado. Vaughn was all-state in cross country all four years, the Nebraska Class B 1600m champions with a time of 4:58.15, and 2004 All-class 800, 1600 and 3200m champion.
The local newspaper Scottsbluff Star Herald named Sara Ensrud the 2004 Athlete of the Year. Sara also received Scottsbluff Star Herald Athlete of the Year in 2001 and 2003, she is also the second female athlete above the height of five feet to turn professional after Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica