HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –  Lynsey Shipley credits her teammates with helping her overcome the race day jitters. Because of that, she has already had a successful career as a Norse student-athlete, claiming two gold medals in the Horizon League Championship in her freshman year. Shipley reveals how she feels on meet days and how she balances a student-athlete life in this Q&A.  
 
Q: What drew you to NKU, other than it being just two hours away from home?
 
A: At first I wasn't sure I wanted to run track in college. I wasn't sure I could juggle both track and academics, but then my high school coach persuaded me. I got a ton of letters, and I saw Coach Paul (Longano) had messaged me and continued to reach out. When I came for a campus visit I just instantly fell in love with it; just the layout and the people I was surrounded with.
 
Q: How did you get into Track?
 
A: I was always running; I would do little races in elementary school, and my dad said I should run track. In middle school I wasn't really good but in high school I really fell in love with track. Not having a (outdoor) season this year has been really weird. What made me better was my confidence, I had really bad race anxiety. But once I started getting the times I wanted I got a lot better.
 
Q: What did your recruiting process look like?
 
A: I knew someone on the team, and that person said Paul was really interested in me. He was very personable and one day he offered me a full ride. Then I knew I wanted to run track in college.
 
Q: What do your coaches expect from you, individually and as a team?

A: As a team I think it's always do your best. We all help each other, even though track is an individual sport, you feed off of each other. Everyone always wants you to be your best, and that's what motivates you.
 
Q: How do you mentally prepare for a meet, since it's an individual competition with a team outcome?
 
A: It really comes down to leaving it down to the track. There's always another day to get better, and your teammates are also always there to pick you up. Sometimes you have good days and sometimes you have bad days.
 
Q: What did it feel like claiming the gold medal in the Horizon League Outdoor Championships in both the 400 meter and the 4x400 meter?
 
A: I was not expecting that at all, I was so on edge. I was crying because I was so scared, my teammates kept telling me, "you got this, calm down." I guess once I got in the blocks it all went away. It was an awesome feeling in the 400 meter because I passed [the girl in the lead] in the last 50 meters. And in the 4x4 I trained with seniors and I really wanted them to get gold for their last race.
 
Q: What is your favorite part about competing?
 
A: Just getting better, getting PRs. Seeing your time go down, and you get a thrill. It just makes you want to get better.
 
Q: What are you excited for most next year?
 
A: I'm just excited to get back into training and seeing my teammates. Sometimes I like practicing more than competing. It's just such an amazing atmosphere.
 
Q: What challenges have you faced as an athlete and how have you overcome them?
 
A: The biggest thing is juggling academics and running. Nursing is a very rigorous major. The hardest thing is finding free time. However, on the weekends I try not to do any homework so I do get a break from academics.
 
Q: What is your major and what do you plan on doing after graduation?
 
A: I'm a nursing major. I want to work in labor delivery, I just love babies so much. I think the human body is amazing. Plus, I think any person who goes into nursing cares about people so much.
 
Q: What do you do when you're not competing, practicing or studying?
 
A: I like to make Tik Toks. I love to dance too.
 
Q: Who have been some of your biggest influences?
 
A: Definitely my parents, they have always pushed me to be the best I need to be. They've never pushed me too hard but they've almost motivated me. My dad knew I would be a runner, and you can always hear him cheering me on in the meets.
 
Q: What is your favorite part about NKU?
 
A: The sense that you belong here, I never feel like an outcast and they always want you to be the best you can.
 
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