Former Waseca High School runner and University of Minnesota runner Shane Streich to transfer to Lipscomb University. Streich details below what led to this decision and what he hopes to accomplish.
What prompted you to transfer from the University of Minnesota?
Being I would only have one outdoor season of eligibility remaining due to the cancellation of this spring season, I initially hadn't considered returning to finish out my eligibility and was considering moving onto the post-collegiate competition scene. After some thought, though, I figured it would be best to keep my options open. Because the U of M was going to be unable to offer athletic scholarships to returning seniors for next year, I entered the transfer portal looking for an opportunity to continue my athletic and academic pursuits that made sense financially. If an opportunity presented itself to continue progressing in my athletic career while providing an academic program that increased future job opportunities, all while being financially sound, it was an option I had to at least consider.
Why transfer to Lipscomb?
The reason that I chose Lipscomb is simple: the school fit me in every desired aspect and felt like home. From an athletic perspective, I know that Coach Polk will be able to help me continue my progress towards my athletic goals and get the very best out of me. The team culture is perfect, too, as the team is very close knit and everyone strives to do big things on the national stage. Lipscomb has an awesome, underrated mid-distance group who I'm excited to join and start working with. Academically, I will have the opportunity to earn my MBA by the time next May rolls around with the school's fast-track program. Finally, and most importantly, Lipscomb is a great fit for me spiritually, as the school and team culture is very faith-oriented, providing many opportunities to continue to develop in my Christian faith with my teammates right there alongside me. At the end of the day, though it is a mid-major school, Lipscomb provides many opportunities for athletic success while allowing me to further my academic career.
What do you hope to accomplish at Lipscomb University? After graduation?
While at Lipscomb, I hope to add as much value to the school and program as possible. I have some unfinished business on the track and am ready to make the most of this one last collegiate opportunity. In the outdoor season, I hope to help the Lipscomb team capture the ASUN team title while assisting Lipscomb in taking home titles in the 800m and 1500m, whether that be my teammates or me. Additionally, I hope to represent the University at the national meet in Eugene in either the 800m or 1500m and be there with as many teammates as possible. I have complete trust that I and my teammates have the capabilities to do so. From a performance perspective, although lofty, my goals are to run in the low 1:48s for the 800m and break 3:41 in the 1500m. Though I don't have any indoor eligibility remaining, I still want to train hard, run fast, and break 4:00 in the mile.
After graduation, I plan to continue my running career and join a post-collegiate team to train with and compete for. I know that the road is difficult, but I plan on taking advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and pursue my passion for the sport as long as I can. At the end of the day, when I walk away from the sport, I want to know that I maximized my potential and left it all out on the track; I know that my post-collegiate desires and this next opportunity at Lipscomb University will provide that opportunity to do so.
