PAN AM FLIGHT: Ashley Higginson races through a curve during her illustrious Princeton University track career. Higginson, a 2011 Princeton alum, recently took gold at the 2015 Pan American Games in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Higginson, who also graduated from Rutgers School of Law-Newark this summer, is turning her focus to making the U.S. Olympic team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

On one hand, Ashley Higginson was disappointed to finish fifth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the U.S. outdoor nationals earlier this summer, missing a spot in the World Championships by two places.

But Higginson, a 2011 Princeton University alum who earned All-American honors in the steeplechase and the indoor 3,000 during her Tiger career, gained some important lessons from the experience.

“I took a lot from that, more than anything that we have a competitive group and it is becoming a very strong event,” said Higginson, a native of Colts Neck, N.J. who recently earned her JD degree from Rutgers School of Law-Newark.

“I also learned not to be too hard on myself. I was finishing up law school and I had some injury issues.”

Looking to apply what she learned from the disappointment, Higginson was excited to compete for the U.S. in the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.

“My performance at nationals was certainly extra motivation,” said Higginson.

“I thought it would be competitive at the top level at the Pan Am Games, I was really glad to be on the team. It is always very special to represent your country.”

Higginson produced a special effort at the Pan Am Games, taking first in the steeplechase, clocking a time of 9:48.12 to edge U.S. teammate Shalaya Kipp by 1.84 seconds for the gold.

Coming into the event, Higginson was focused on basics. “I was not worrying about time so much; I was looking to learn how to race tactically again and focusing on how I want to manage the race,” explained Higginson. “I worked on that and my kick.”

For Higginson, competing against Kipp helped hone her racing acumen. “It definitely helped to have Shalaya there,” said Higginson.

“She has been in the Olympics and the worlds, she is a veteran. We spent a lot of time together.”

Higginson enjoyed the time of her life celebrating her gold medal. “Hearing the national anthem and running with the flag was definitely an enticing feeling,” said Higginson. “It makes you want to do it again, it makes me excited about next year.”

As Higginson looks ahead to next year, she is shifting into a lower gear before making the push for the Olympic trials, which take place next July at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

“I feel like I did at the end of college, it is like starting over again, making ends meet,” said Higginson.

“I am taking a break in September. I will start training again in October. I will do some road races to break the monotony. I will start steeple races in February and March.”

For proud Jersey girl Higginson, being based in Clinton and competing for the New Jersey New York track club (where she is coached by the legendary Frank Gagliano), provides her with a foundation for success.

“This is the perfect place for me,” said Higginson. “It is home for so many great athletes, great to have a club.”

While Higginson has found a home in the legal world, having been offered a position at Riker Danzig, a Morristown-based firm, she isn’t planning to start practicing law until after the Olympics.

“I am best at balancing but I don’t want to have any regrets,” said Higginson, who is planning to take the bar exam next February. “I am close, I have a shot and I don’t want to look back and say I was tired out from doing other things.”

Acknowledging that 2016 could be her last season on the track, Higginson is coming into the year with a sense of urgency.

“This is closing; these races are some of my last potentially,” added Higginson.

“I want to leave it out there. I have a great support network, I am a much better athlete. I am looking to stay consistent and get a little better. I am excited for the next step.”

Higginson is hoping that next step will be a top-three finish at the Olympic trials and a spot in the 2016 Summer Games.

“I have to believe,” said Higginson. “In the last four years, I have been fourth, second, second, and fifth at the nationals, average that out and I am right there. Gags (coach Gagliano) says no one deserves a spot, all you deserve is a shot. I want to be healthy when I get that shot.”