Shelby Sees Promise in 2006

Shea Shelby | Track & Field | Sophomore

NORMAN, Okla. -- SoonerSports.com presents this Sooner Spotlight feature on sophomore high jumper Shea Shelby. Shelby, a former state champion high jumper at Edmond Memorial High School, is in his second season with the Sooners. The OU track & field team returns to action Friday, Jan. 20, and Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark.

Shea Shelby Bio | Oklahoma Track & Field | 2006 Schedule

What brought you to the University of Oklahoma?
“Growing up in Oklahoma I wanted to come to OU. My parents are big OU fans and I wanted to come here. I looked at other universities, but once I came on my recruiting visit I was sold.

“When I got my offer to come to Oklahoma, I didn't even think twice. It is a dream come true.”

How did you become a high jumper?
“I played basketball when I was young. My dad ran track so I thought I would give it a try. In high school I ran and also did the high jump. My sophomore year I improved on my personal best by a foot, but I never thought that I would be a high jumper.

“After my sophomore year of high school I participated in summer track and got to go to a lot of big meets. That next year at school I stopped playing basketball and focused my efforts on track.”

What are your thoughts on jumps coach Jeremy Fischer?
“Coach Fischer is great. He was really good when he was in college. He was an All-American and ranked in the top 15 in the world after jumping seven-feet seven-inches.

"It is really neat to have a former world class high jumper as your coach. I listen to him and know that everything he is saying is true. He has done all this before and it is great to have someone with that much experience as my coach.”

Has the coaching staff raised the standards for the track program?
“The new coaches want to take the program a step up. They want us to be a national power. All the coaches have a lot of experience at that level, so that will helps us get better.”

What are some of your goals for the season?
“My personal best is six feet ten inches. I will jump over seven feet. That has been my goal since high school and I will do it. I also want to score at the Big 12 meet.

“The Big 12 conference is almost the best high-jumping conferences. I am going to have to reach seven feet to get on the podium. I think it is a very realistic goal.”

How do you feel about the team for the 2006 season?
“I know with the talent we have we can be good. The new coaches have not had time to recruit but with the individuals we have we are going to better than people think. These coaches are training us in a way that will help us to be even better.

“Last year we had a lot of injuries so that restricted our season. This year everyone seems to be healthy and I think if we stay healthy we can easily be in the top half of the conference. The program will continue to grow when the coaches can bring in even more talent.”

Is it easier to be competing close to home?
“I jumped here in high school so the track is more familiar. I like having my parents there to watch. The best thing is when we have home meets so that my family and friends can come watch. ”

What is your favorite season and why?
“Indoor season is fun, but it's cold and you have to train inside. I would have to say outdoor season. The outdoor season is great becuase we have those perfect spring days. Those days are great for jumping.

“Outdoor season allows us to be outside all day and we can also watch the running events. It's more fun to watch running events outside than in an indoor track.”

What is one of your most embarrassing moments at a track meet?
“My first meet in middle school I knocked over the bar twice and slipped three times. This was the first time that I had ever jumped in a competition and I was so terrified. I ended up not even jumping in the meet!”

Where is your favorite place to jump?
“For indoor meets it would have to be at the University of Arkansas. They have the best indoor facility. The runway is fast and the fans there are always loud. If Arkansas is running when you are jumping it is real cool to hear all the fans chanting and yelling.

“The Big 12 meet at Kansas State University would have be my favorite outdoor place to jump. They have a great high jump facility.”

What are some of the challenges that you have had since coming to Oklahoma?
“Time. There is never enough time. There is always something going on. People usually don't understand how much time is takes to be an athlete.”

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