Some Words With Potential State Record Holder Shae Buchman

2018 Minnesota T&F Interviews
Bill Peyton


Shae Buchman, Rosemount Class of 2018

Shae was born in St. Paul and began playing softball, soccer, volleyball, and track & field.  She has been in Track & Field since Kindergarten and has 5 letters in that sport so far.  She has 4 letters in volleyball and was named Honorable Mention All-Conference as an Outside Hitter.  She is 5-10 and 145 pounds.

Coaches:
  • Parc Williams for the hurdles
  • Jay Hatleli for the long jump
  • Doug Anderson for long jump
  • Brett Larson for the relays
"I have had all four of these people since 7th grade, and they make me work hard!"

Personal Records

  • 100 Hurdles - 14.08 (MSHSL State Meet Record, MN All Time #2)
  • Long Jump - 18-1/2
  • 300 Hurdles - 45.77
  • 2017 State Champion 100 Hurdles/2nd Place Long Jump
  • 2016 4th Place 100 Hurdles/State Qualifier Long Jump

What are some of the adversities you've faced, and what have been your solutions to them?

As a freshman hurdler, I fell 3 times, and in grades 8-10, I had hamstring and/or quadriceps injuries.  In addition, I've had to be careful with shin injuries.

I have found that rest has helped her the most to recover.  Also, I've found in recent years that working out in the Rosemount Dome on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays have prepared her better for track.  Typically I do 600-500-400-300-200 cutdowns, plyometrics, short sprints, and/or hurdle drills (but not all the same day, of course!)

I've also improved my diet by cutting out junk food (with the exception of "Treat Yourself Friday").  I've done some reading about what is good for sprinters to eat, and I also make sure I drink lots of water.

What advice do you have for young hurdlers? How about long jumpers?

Rhythm might be the most important.  You have to get your steps down but in rhythm. Balance and snapping the lead leg down. We have drills for all of these and also ones for the trail leg.

For long jumpers, you have to be explosive and go for height!

With the three events I do shin splints can be a problem no matter how good of shape I am in. So my coaches and I pay attention to how I feel during practice.  If I tweak a muscle I have to back off, sometimes for the day.  The event that can be the most difficult for shin splints and overwork is the long jump.  But you do have to do the run-throughs in that event and get your steps down.


Who among your teammates has helped you in the past?

Rachel Schow who is now at the University of Minnesota was a mentor to me when I arrived in the 7th grade.  She was a state champion in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles, so it was terrific having her to watch."

Who are your main competitors?

Natalie Windels of Eagan and Julia Hayes of Irondale were tough for me last year.

Which teammate do you lean on?

Arianna Passeri is a teammate who competes in the long jump, relays and sprinting events.

Do you watch collegiate or professional events?

I do enjoy watching the NCAAs and Olympics.

What would you say to a younger you?

For track-keep working hard, watch better athletes, work for something you want. Shooting for the state meet might be too far off at first, so choose a smaller goal to begin with. That's what I do.

What are your goals for this season?

All I want to do the first meet is run clean without hitting hurdles.  I do not expect to run my best ever time.  I am only 0.14 off the state record in the 100 meter hurdles so that is my big goal.

How will the Rosemount Irish girl's team do this year?

The Rosemount girls won the True Team state championship last year and we only lost two seniors from that team.  We have several people that can do multiple events so we expect to be tough again this year.  We have great team pride.  Everyone stays until the last event and cheers for the team even if we are done as an individual!

 

Who has supported you the most in your career as an athlete?

Parc Williams has been a great coach for me because of the effort and time he has put into developing me as a hurdler.  He was also a state champion like Schow.  My parents and my younger sister have been great because they come to meets and take pictures.  My grandmother is at almost every meet.  My boyfriend Tommy Springer is always there for me too.

Can we expect to see you as a Heptathlete in the future?  Which event would give you the most trouble?

I have often been asked by college recruiters if I might become a multi-event athlete. For me the 800 meter run would be the toughest! 

Besides athletics what else are you involved in?

My other school stuff includes having a 3.99 GPA (I've had exactly 1 A-minus since my freshman year). I was in the Choir as a freshman, and I am currently in National Honor Society.  Also, I currently I have a job at Timbers Senior Living as a Dining Room Server.

What will you miss about high school athletics?

I will miss my high school volleyball teammates a lot in addition to my track teammates and coaches.  We have potluck suppers and scavenger hunts before certain meets. The athletes that qualify for State get to have dinner the day before the State Meet at the Olive Garden.

Do you have any plans for after high school?

My college plans include going to Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, which is an NAIA school.  I chose Columbia more for what I will be able to do after college than while I am in college.  It is giving me the best financial package for participating in track and I can still join volleyball if I want to in the future.  It's also a smaller school with smaller classes for my Business major.  Plus the weather is warmer for track.