Shaw shines at nationals
The high school track season may be right around the corner and Savannah Shaw is wasting no time setting the pace for the local, not to mention national, competition.
For just this past Sunday, the Upper St. Clair High School senior submitted a 4:51.99 time and placed eighth overall for the women’s mile during the New Balance Nationals Indoor Championships held in New York City. Her mark ranks 15th nationally for the indoor mile.
“In a loaded field, that’s quite an accomplishment,” said her coach Doug Petrick.
Such achievements are routine for Shaw. She was the WPIAL runner-up and the bronze medalist at the PIAA cross country championships this fall. Plus, she finished 16th in the national championships.
Yet, that was not good enough for Shaw. From the end of the cross country season to the end of the indoor campaign, she has been attempting to trim time off her mile time. She averaged 5:59 during the state cross country finals and has shaved more than eight seconds off her mile time. But, it’s not the sub 4:50 that she dearly covets.
“After a good but not great performance at states,” she said, “I wanted to put down a hot time before spring. Especially as I have been trying to get to Brooks’ PR,” she added, noting a sub 4.50 is required to get an invitation to that meet later this year. “I hoped to PR before taking some time to train in the beginning of spring.”
At the famed Armory, where the national indoor meet was held on March 11, Shaw set goals for a sub 4:50 time and a medal. Although she achieved neither objective, she said, “I’m extremely happy with my performance. I truly gave all I could and getting that time was so exciting since I haven’t done that in the mile since May.”
During the 2017 PIAA track and field championships, Shaw finished fifth in the 1,600-meter run with a 4:53.34 time and won that race in 4:57.96 during the WPIAL championships. The mile is a little longer than that metered distance.
With those two championship meets again on the schedule in late-May, Shaw is preparing for a very busy but fast spring. In addition to her scholastic meets, she will participate in the prestigious Penn Relays. She will also gun for that invite to the Brooks meet to compete in the Dream Mile as well as the New Balance outdoor championships.
“I’m still hungry for that sub 4:50. So that is my future goal,” she said. “I’m also hoping to go on and win at states and compete in national meets.”
To be competitive on a national level excites Shaw and her coach.
Petrick noted that the indoor championships have a “storied tradition of amazing” track and field performances. “So we were very excited to see Savannah race in the championship heat,” he said.
Shaw added that there was “some insane” competition in the mile. “So placing that well was an accomplishment. It was a huge success in my book.”
Now both are looking forward to USC’s opening meet set for March 24. The event features co-ed relays on the Panthers’ home turf.
“All in all I’m pumped for the season and seeing how far the team and I go. The team has a really strong future so I’m glad to be able to contribute and see where we go. Every year, we seem to grow through the power of speed development, long runs and positivity.”
Petrick is positive that only good things await Shaw, who is a North Carolina State University recruit. He notes her keen skills as reason for his bright outlook.
“Savannah is very aerobically fit. She is a tactical racer with a nasty kick. As a powerful athlete, we are looking forward to getting back to the WPIAL and state meet. She loves training and racing and she is totally invested in long term goals. It’s great to know the best is yet to come.”