South Fayette graduate sets national indoor track record
Rachel Helbling
Rachel Helbling streaks down the stretch ahead of the competition on the way to victory in a recent University of Richmond indoor track meet.
Rachel Helbling left a legacy of records at South Fayette High School.
The track and field standout holds outdoor marks in the 200-meter dash, at 25.08, and the 400-meter run, at 55.58. She also remains a part of three record-holding relay teams.
“She is one of the most gifted runners that the WPIAL has ever seen,” said her former South Fayette coach Scott Litwinovich.
Today, Helbling is one of the most talented runners in University of Richmond history. By the end of her career with the Spiders, she will likely have left a lasting mark on the women’s track program.
“I expect she will set more school records and cement her legacy,” said Jon Molz, assistant to Richmond head coach Lori Taylor, who serves as Helbling’s event coach.
Helbling made history recently. At the John Thomas Terrier Classic held Jan. 28-30 at Boston University, Helbling finished first in the 500 with a time of 1:11.82.
The mark not only broke her own program record but set NCAA and U.S. standards. The time ranks fourth in the world.
“It’s crazy. Really cool to see and exciting to think about,” Helbling said. “I knew I already had the (school) record and it’s been a goal of mine to re-break it but I wasn’t anticipating it.”
Molz suspected the time was special. He knew the mark was competitive among the collegiate ranks. After further research he said he realized it ranked highly among the world’s top runners.
“That was the surprise moment,” he said. “I thought she would get her own school record because she is one of the best in the event. We are pretty ecstatic. Rachel ran well.”
Because of an explosive start, Helbling coasted to victory.
“It wasn’t quite as easy as it looked. I was definitely working,” she said. “I had a good feeling about the race because I was aggressive at the start. My endurance was good because of my fall training. So I was able to finish strong at the end.”
Helbling said she could see the clock throughout the race. Around the 300-meter mark she was aware she was on a good pace. She also pointed out the difference between indoor and outdoor track reflected her race strategy.
“Definitely the start was the key,” she said. “I got a good jump and it was important to be in the lead once I got to the break point. It allowed for a smooth race after that.”
Molz agreed.
“Indoors is hard because the turns are tight and you have to fight for your spot. So you really have to be aggressive.”
Since her arrival at Richmond, Helbling has dominated the long-sprint distances.
As a freshman, she earned a spot on the Atlantic-10 All-Rookie teams for the indoor 500 and the outdoor 400. She has set several school records, both as an individual and in her relays, until reaching this her final season at Richmond. Expectations are for her to close out her indoor season at the top before transitioning to the spring campaign outdoors.
Helbling is prepping for the A10 indoor championships scheduled for Feb. 26-27 at George Mason. She will battle for the 500 title as well as pursue the school records in the 400 and 600 events.
She said her goals are to continue to set personal records in her events, win the 500 and contribute to her team’s showing by participating in several relays.
“The No. 1 goal is for her to win the 500 at the A-10. That has eluded her so far. So that’s a big one to check off the list,” Molz said. “The 400 and 600 records are pretty stout and held by two All-Americans but Rachel could end up being Richmond’s best long-sprinter ever. If she runs how we know she can and with aggression all that could be within her reach.”
In the spring, nationals are the target. While Helbling will compete in team relays, she has the opportunity to advance in her signature race and break the school record of 52.47 in the 400.
Last year, she took third in the ECAC championships with a 55.31 time, then lowered the mark to 54.84 and finished eighth in the sixth heat during the NCAA East Preliminaries. She also won the A-10 title with a personal best 53.58.
“Rachel has a legitimate shot to make the semifinals which would mean she’s among the top 24 in the country,” said Molz.
Hard work and experience has fueled Helbling’s rise. Except for the break caused by COVID-19, Helbling’s training has been uninterrupted, Molz said.
“Rachel runs with calmness and confidence,” Molz said. “She’s Miss Consistent because she’s never missing a practice, was injured or sick. In this sport, you need to be consistent and have talent in order to excel.
“Rachel also has a great attitude and everything you look for in an athlete,” Molz continued. “She’s a model citizen. As a coach, you’d love to have a 100 of her on your team.”
While balancing her track career, Helbling has managed to excel in the classroom. She majored in bio-chemistry and molecular biology. With a year of eligibility remaining, she could continue her track career while pursuing a doctorate in pharmacy. Helbling hopes to enroll at the University of Texas in the fall.
“I knew Richmond did not have a (pharmacy) school but the plan was to focus on track and enjoy my four years here,” Helbling said. “Right now, I am looking at the big picture. In track that is the spring. I think having a good indoor sets me up for a great outdoor season.”
Back at South Fayette, they expect nothing less.
“Rachel continues to amaze us with all of her continued success,” Litwinovich said. “The fact that she is No. 1 in the NCAA is a testament to her continued hard work and dedication to the sport.
“Rachel’s future is very bright. She is extremely intelligent and she will continue to work towards achieving her academic goals as she moves on to the next chapter of her life.”
Age: 21
Birthdate: July 7
Parents: Laura and Carl
Siblings: Adam, who is a freshman at Waynseburg University
High School: South Fayette
College: University of Richmond
Major: Bio-chemistry and molecular biology
Career choice: Pharmacy
Color: Light blue
Food: Chicken Parmesan
Dream Destination: Europe
Who will win the Super Bowl: “I don’t know. Who’s in it?”
Los Angeles or Cincinnati: “Well, I can’t pick the Bengals.”
The 500-meter run is not an Olympic event so it’s inevitable that Rachel Helbling will not be representing the United States in any Summer Games any time soon.
Nonetheless, the South Fayette resident can boast she is the best in the country. Recently she shattered the collegiate as well as national record in the event with a 1:11.82 time during the John Thomas Terrier Classic held at Boston University. Her winning mark also ranks fourth in the world.
“It’s not the most common event but it’s pretty cool,” Helbling admitted. “I like it a lot.”
Helbling said the race is similar to the 400 dash but with a “little extra” distance. It highlights the strength and endurance she developed during the fall training season.
“The idea is to keep the same pace and stay strong in the race. You run a 400 and then add another 100 and see if you can finish,” she said of the event.
While the distances she runs have changed since her scholastic track days as a Lady Lion, Helbling says those record years helped her transition to collegiate track at the University of Richmond. Helbling holds several records at both schools.
“Track doesn’t chance that much except in college it’s more an individual thing,” she said. “Running at South Fayette, particularly the 400, enabled me to gain so much confidence. Confidence and not getting too nervous has done so much for me. I know what I can do and having developed that confidence has helped me improve and reach my goals.”