AU's assistant track and field coach Julie Culley will be representing the United States at the 12th IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Berlin, Germany.
The third-year assistant coach qualified for the world championships in July at the 2009 Metting International d'athletisme de la Provience de Liege in Belgium. She did it with a personal best time of 15:21.87 in the 5,000 meter. It is Culley's first appearance in a world championship event.
"I'm extremely excited about competing on one of our sport's grandest stages," Culley said in a press release from AU Athletics.
The championships will be the largest stage she has been on since returning from a three-year hiatus from track. After graduating from Rutgers University, the 2002 NCAA All-American felt she needed a break from competition. Culley put her career on hold and became the first head coach of the Loyola College women's track and field team.
"I had a great college experience but with a lot of ups and downs," Culley told the Athletic Department. "By the time I graduated, I just felt like I needed a break from competition."
Unable to keep the itch for competition out of her blood, Culley began training with AU's head track and field coach Matt Centrowitz. According to AU, she improved her 5,000-meter time improve by 55 seconds in the first 18 months of her training with Centrowitz she. With help from Centrowitz, Culley posted a Championship qualifying time that is more than minute faster than her previous record.
"Training with Coach Centrowitz and being a part of his program at American has helped me to fully realize my potential as a runner," Culley said in an AU press release. "When I take the track next week in Berlin I am confident that I will represent my country proudly."
Culley graduated from Rutgers University in 2004. During her time there she was named the NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of New Jersey and set school records in the 3,000, 5000 and distance medley relay. The 5,000 meter preliminaries are Aug. 19, and Culley will then move on to the finals Aug. 22 if she qualifies.
You can reach this staff writer at atomlinson@theeagleonline.com.
