Iowa runner Andrea Shine has come a long way

IOWA CITY - Her 'soul” was in her shoes. She just didn't know it yet.

University of Iowa junior Andrea Shine started running in middle school on a whim. She had no idea she would end up competing against the nation's top distance runners some day.

Shine loved running, but she wasn't passionate about the competition until she started working with Iowa Coach Randy Hasenbank.

'She was very talented and I don't think she even knew it,” Hasenbank said.

Shine walked on to the Hawkeye team her freshman year. She didn't have much of a reputation and didn't even qualify for the Illinois state cross country meet until her senior year at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake, Ill.

'She didn't have any marks that stood out on the roster,” Hasenbank said.

It wasn't until her second track and field season - when Shine ran her first 10,000-meter race - that she realized her talent. To her surprise, her 34:49.55 time qualified her for the NCAA regionals.

This gave Shine a newfound confidence.

'The progress I made this season, as well as last season, is astounding to me,” Shine said.

Hasenbank noticed Shine thrived off personal improvement and used that to drive her. Shine took well to Hasenbank's style of training and, as a result, her confidence and determination continues to soar.

'There is a very determined animal inside of her,” Hasenbank said.

Shine's dedication isn't limited to the track or cross country course. She's been on the dean's list every semester at Iowa except her first.

'I want to make sure I put my best effort into everything I do,” Shine said.

Shine started the season as Iowa's No. 1 runner and will lead the team into Sunday's Big Ten Championships in Bloomington, Ind. She's been an inspiration to her teammates.

'A lot of girls on the team will say ‘well if she can do it, I can do it,'” Hasenbank said.

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