A Distance Gala Interview
It takes a special athlete to win three events at one of the most prestigious track and field events in the country. Shelby Houlihan (Sr., Sioux City East, IA) accomplished such a feat, winning the 800m, 1,500m and 3,000m events at the Drake Relays earlier this month. Over the course of Drake Relays weekend, Houlihan, who is known for her speed but has shown a tremendous amount of strength this year, won the 800m race in a US#2 time (and Drake Relays record) of 2:07.69, the 1,500m event in 4:29.26 and the 3,000m race in 9:56.71.
Houlihan's historic weekend is another page in the legacy she is building. With a few more big goals to check off her list before she wraps up her high school track career, expect big things for the Arizona State University-bound senior in the weeks and months to come.
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Distance Gala (DG): You just came off a historic run of performances at the Drake Relays, winning the 800m, 1,500m, and 3,000m events. Take us through the weekend and what it was like for you to perform at such a high level for three races.
Shelby Houlihan (SH): Coming into it, I just had specific times that I wanted to run for each race. For the 3,000m I wanted to just run fast enough to break the city record of 9:57, the 800m I wanted to run anywhere between 2:05-2:07, and for the 1500m I wanted to break Katie Flood's all-time Iowa record at 4:28.30. I'm very happy with my performances considering the circumstances of the wind and running all those races in three consecutive days. I am pretty bummed about not getting Katie's record though but I'm not giving up yet! I'm hoping to break it at the state meet.
DG: What does it mean to you to win three Drake Relays races and firmly place yourself in the record books?
SH: It really means a lot to win those three races. Until I stepped on the line for the 1500m I had no idea until the announcer said it that I would possibly be the first high school girl to ever win three individual events. To place myself in the record books like that is really a huge achievement that I didn't even expect and I'm extremely grateful.
DG: Looking forward, what type of training will you do to get yourself ready for post-season competition?
SH: I will keep doing my 30-40 min runs to keep up my endurance for the 1500m but also keep working on my speed for the 800m.
DG: Next year you're heading to Arizona State University. Why ASU?
SH: Arizona State University is an awesome school and it really seemed like the right fit when I visited. They have an outstanding track and cross country program, the coaches are really cool, and it's a great environment to train and race in. My sister Shayla also lives in Flagstaff, AZ so she'll be close by which helps a lot.
DG: You've improved every year through high school, and continue to take your performances to new heights. How have you been able to be so consistent year after year?
SH: Hard work and genetics. My mom was a world class marathon runner and has guided me throughout my running career to work extremely hard and to never give up. Running is my passion because I love to run and I have a blast doing it. I feel that in order to be good and to perform each year better than the next, you have to work hard and really enjoy what you do and have fun doing it whether it's training or racing.
Quick Six
DG: Spikes you race in?
SH: Nike Zoom Victory
DG: Favorite band?
SH: Lil Wayne
DG: Car you drive?
SH: Jeep Wranger
DG: Favorite school subject?
SH: Math
DG: Favorite professional runner?
SH: Phoebe Wright
DG: Best movie?
SH: The Hangover
