text: This is the moment a college athlete's victory turned to ashes in his hands after he slowed down to celebrate his win and got overtaken. Tanguy Pepiot, a steeplechase runner for the University of Oregon, had a clear lead on his rival Meron Simon, who competes for the University of Washington. But at a track meet Saturday in Eugene, Oregon, a crowd of more than 3,000 people saw the distance evaporate after Pepiot raised his hands in pre-emptive joy, with less than 100m to go. Tanguy Pepiot celebrated his victory (left) before missing out to his rival on the finishing line (right) Pepiot (right) is pictured raising his hands to excite the crowd - as Meron Simon (left) tears toward him . The gesture seemed to sap some of his momentum, opening the way for Simon to speed towards the finish line, and beat him by a tenth of a second. The home crowd roared as Simon powered ahead - seemingly in an attempt to warn French-born Pepiot. But the warning came too late, and Simon flashed past, leaving Pepiot, who is in his senior year, to collapse, defeated. Simon's time, 8:57.86, exceeded his personal record by around 15 seconds. Speaking to the Eugene Register-Guard after the contest, a newly-victorious Simon said: 'I thought he had me. Simon edges past Meriot as the pair approach the line, eventually beating him by a tenth of a second . After celebrating his triumph, Simon headed back to help Pepiot up after he collapsed to the ground in defeat . 'I thought he was just so far ahead. Then I heard the crowd get crazy, and he started throwing his hands up. 'I was like, "I don’t think he knows I’m coming". I just went to the line and just raced.' After a justified victory celebration of his own, Simon doubled back to console his close rival. Not long after, a defeated Pepiot told columnist Austin Meek: 'I think it was the first time it happened to me. I'll make sure it's the last time.' Meron (left) ran his best ever time in the 3,000m steeplechase, while Pepiot has pledged not to get cocky again .
target: University of Oregon's Tanguy Pepiot had strong lead over Meron Simon .
  He raised his arms in triumph while running down the home straight .
  Simon, of the University of Washington, managed to close the gap .
  He beat Pepiot by a tenth of a second at track event in Eugene, Oregon .