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Winning an NCAA Championship is usually a career highlight for most people, but Ferlic went one step further and did what few Americans will ever do and qualified for the Olympics. His Olympic dream was realized on June 25 when he finished third overall in the steeplechase at the U.S. Trials with a time of 8:22.05. He finished only behind Hillary Bor and Bernard Keter.
Going into the last barrier, Ferlic was just behind Isaac Updike, but Ferlic cleared the water barrier clearly while Updike stumbled slightly. Ferlic never looked back to hold off Updike and Daniel Michalski for the third and final spot on the Team USA for the steeplechase.
Ferlic has the 24th fastest 3000m steeplechase time in the world this season (8:18.49).
He should easily be able to qualify for the Steeplechase Finals. Back in 2016 the slowest time to qualify for the finals was 8:27.69. He has run four official 3000m steeplechase races this year with times of:
- 8:18.49 (USATF Grand Prix)
- 8:18.79 (Portland Track Festival)
- 8:30.78 (U.S. Olympic Trials 1st Round)
- 8:22.05 (U.S. Olympic Trials Final)
His personal best time of 8:18.49 would've been good enough for 6th place at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Ferlic is also a very talented 1500m and 5000m runner. His 1500m time is the 57th best time in the world this year (3:35.45) and his 5000m time is the 105th best in the world this year (13:24.94). His personal bests in the 1500m, 5000m and 3000m Steeplchse were all set this year.
