Amina Maatoug and Maggie Liebich of Washington finish sixth and ninth in WUG 1500m...

BOCHUM, Germany--Washington's Amina Maatoug of the Netherlands and Maggie Liebich of the USA (photo courtesy FISU) ran to top-nine finishes in the women's 1500 on the final night of competition at the FISU World University Games at the Lohrheidestadion.

Maatoug reluctantly went to the lead in an effort to control the pace with Liebich tucked in a few steps behind, going through the first 400 in approximately 72 seconds.

Maatoug then managed to slow it down even more, crossing 700 meters in 2:12, and 800 in 2:30.

Business picked up at the kilometer, and the field passed the 1200 mark in 3:37 with Maatoug still in front with five other women in striking distance. Meanwhile, Liebich was losing ground on the frontrunners.

The eventual three medalists pounced on Maatoug with less than 200 meters to go, as the Dutch national couldn't mount a response.

Maatoug finished in sixth in 4:21.78, while Liebich crossed the line in ninth in 4:22.89.

Switzerland's Joceline Wind took the victory in 4:19.96, followed by Amy Calvert of Great Britain in 4:20.18.

Kimberley May of New Zealand, who attended Providence College in Rhode Island, was third in 4:20.39.

With that, the group of Washington distance runners who competed at the World University Games, which included 5000m champion Julia David-Smith of France, Chloe Foerster and Liebich of the USA; Maatoug of the Netherlands, and Saskia Lloyd of Australia, will split, with many expected to compete at the various national championship meets this coming weekend.

The home page of the FISU World University Games, which encompasses several sports, is available here (click on Athletics, and the date).

NOTE: The FISU World University Games and the sports information office of the University of Washington contributed to this report.

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