Going the Distance With Rebecca Walter
5/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Senior/junior tri-captain Rebecca Walter of the women's track and field team has proven that she deserves to be recognized as one of the nation's top distance runners. At the 2006 Big Ten Outdoor Championships, Walter won the 5k and 10k crowns as she posted the third best time in the nation in the 5k with a time of 16:05.18.
During her high school career at Groves High School, Walter was two-time all-state (2001, '02), three-year conference champion in the 3,200m (2000-02) and three-year all-conference (2000-02).
Before a day of training, Walter met with me to discuss winning two individual Big Ten titles, on her progress over time and how she maintains her good grades with her athletic commitments.
On winning two Big Ten titles (5k and 10k)
"This weekend pretty much came together for me and the team. For me in the 10k, that's my event, that's what I like, so I know I could go out and attack that race. The 5k on the other hand was up in the air, it was about guts and working with the teammates. Overall I'm pretty happy with the results."
On progressing each year
"I think a lot of it is maturity, and I've been influenced by a lot of older teammates and opponents. The Big Ten has been really full of great distance runners from Michigan State and Wisconsin, so I've kind of learned from them. On a more personally level, I've also learned from a lot of trial and error, such as increasing my mileage and trying to find the right balance between high mileage and staying healthy, and it worked out this year."
On how she's influenced Erin Webster and Alyson Kohlmeier
"I've seen them over the last couple of years, and they came in as good runners, but now they're more dedicated to being great runners and they've managed to put it all together. I'd like to think that them going in the right direction is a bit of my influence."
On her relationship with Webster and Kohlmeier
"They're so much fun, we're definitely good friends on top of training partners. For as much time as we spend together, we truly enjoy every minute of it."
On why she chose to come to Michigan
"It was so long ago now, but I'm glad I did. It was a combination of academics as well as athletics, and I like Mike (McGuire) and it's only enhanced over the last four years. Mike is definitely the best coach I can ask for, and the academics are great and I've improved above and beyond more than what I thought I would do here."
On her best sports accomplishment to date
"I always put a lot of stress on the Big Tens, and I know its just a huge thing for the team. So my biggest accomplishments would be anything I've done at Big Tens, I've had some good meets, sophomore year I won cross country Big Tens. I just recently had my first two Big Ten titles in track."
On maintaining good grades as well as excelling athletically
"You have to be totally dedicated. Being on the track and cross country teams actually help me, because if you have too much free time you lose your train of thought. When I wake up in the morning I know the whole day is focused, so I've learned how to balance that."
On her favorite hobbies
"Right now I have tons of free time since I'm not taking any classes, so sleeping is a big thing. I love the warm weather, I love my cottage, and I go water-skiing and swimming."
On any other sport she would compete in on the collegiate level
"It would be softball, right now I'm on the IM softball team. I would be either a pitcher or shortstop."
On any other event in track she would compete in
"I would definitely be a middle-distance runner, 400-or 800-meters. I wish I had some more speed."
On any pre-meet rituals
"I take the basics pretty seriously, such as getting enough rest, eating at the right times. Other than that I don't bank my races off of anything, and I think it's kind of dangerous to have superstitions because anything can go wrong."
On any advice she could give incoming freshmen
"I would tell them to dedicate themselves, but don't get too caught up with just running. You have to be a complete person to enjoy your college experience."
On plans after graduation
"Well, I want to take some time to figure out if running can take me anywhere. Besides that I have a psychology and Spanish major so I want to work in psychology (Child Clinical Psychology) and use the Spanish to travel."
Coach Mike McGuire's Thoughts:
"I was proud of her this weekend, it was a tremendous double, her first conference championship on the track. She's definitely been someone that has led the distance group all along, so it's a fitting reward for her and all the great effort she's put into preparing for it. She's healthy and I think she's going to do real well at the nationals also."
Contact: Joseph Conrad (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
