Former NCAA Champion Joins Forces with Schumacher, Flanagan and Infeld

By Scott Bush

In one of the more surprising moves of the off-season, Betsy Saina, the former NCAA champion and recent eighth place finisher in the 10,000m at the IAAF World Championships, joined the Bowerman Track Club. Saina joins coach Jerry Schumacher's group, which includes Olympic medalist Shalane Flanagan and World Championship medalist Emily Infeld. 

We caught up with Saina this week, discussing her reasons behind joining the Bowerman Track Club, what she's focused on in 2016 and a whole lot more.

Mini Profile: Saina, who runs for Kenya, was a three-time NCAA champion at the Iowa State University. The 27-year old broke the 31 minute barrier for 10,000m at the Payton Jordan Invitational in 2014, running 30:57.30, a time that wound up ranking her third in the world that season. In 2015, Saina placed eighth at the IAAF World Championships over 10,000m in Beijing, while recently placing fifth at The Great South Run (UK), finishing the 10 mile race in 53:49. 

10,000m PR: 30:57.30
5,000m PR: 14:39:49
3,000m PR: 8:38.01
Half Marathon PR: 1:09:27

Follow Betsy: Twitter

Scott Bush (SB): Congratulations on joining the Bowerman Track Club. How did this switch come about for you?

Betsy Saina (BS): Thank you! I am very excited to be part of the Bowerman Track Club, it is a dream come true. Coming out of college about two years ago, Jerry’s group was one of the groups I considered joining but for some reason I ended up in Colorado. 

Training with the American Distance Project in Colorado Springs was great and I had huge year with Coach Scott Simmons. About a year ago BTC was recruiting and they reached out to me and the idea of joining the group was renewed, since then we kept a constant communication. At the end of track season I made a decision that it was time to make the switch.

SB: You could have your pick of training groups in the U.S. or aboard. Why exactly the BTC?

BS: Well, may be "why not" should be the question! For my short pro career I have realized that in order to be successful you need a strong support group behind you, from training partners to treatments and many other small but vital components of a program.

With a holistic review, I concluded that BTC will provide the best opportunity to further my career and achieve my dreams. Being a Nike sponsored athlete played a big role in making my decision.

SB: Did you meet Shalane, Emily, Colleen, Shelby and Sammy before committing to the group? If so, what was that like?

BS: I have met Shalane a couple times in races and she has always presented herself as friendly, kind and supportive. As for my other teammates, I had never had a one-on-one conversation with them prior to joining BTC but we are all quite familiar with each other dating back to college days.

SB: Obviously next year is an Olympic year. With that said, how will working under the guidance of Jerry Schumacher training any of your existing training?

BS: Jerry is a great coach, we had some very good discussions and we will continue having such discussions in order to have a smooth and as short a transition as possible. Under his guidance I hope to have a great year and making the Olympic Team will be the focus.

From our brief discussion, there will be no silver bullet. Hard work and dedication to the program will do it. I am excited on what awaits me this coming season.

SB: You placed eighth in the 10K at the World Championships this past summer, finishing just behind your new teammates Emily and Shalane. How was your experience in Beijing?

BS: I had a great experience at the World Championship this past summer. Making the Kenyan Team was a huge accomplishment on my part. Going into the race in Beijing my expectation was a fast race, but it didn’t end up that way. I learned a lot from that race and look forward to being part of such competitions in the future. It can’t be more exciting by the fact that those two ladies ahead of me (Shalane Flanagan and Emily Infeld) in that race are now my teammates!

SB: We have to ask, what strengths do you feel you will contribute joining the squad?

BS: I bring with me ‘Kenyan Magic’. Well on a serious note, I think I will add another body to the group, looking at the group we have a wide range of individuals, from speed stars to aerobic stars. I hope to fit into the group and help push each other for the success. I hope to tap into the experience of the likes of Shalane who has been in the sport for a while. I am a strength runner and will gladly play whatever role assigned by coach.