Aug 2, 2008
Becky Horn - Western MI- 800 Star Views- 833

Western Michigan had a standout 800 runner in Becky Horn. After making the move up from the 400 meters, Becky started to turn heads. She ran herself to a 3rd place finish at outdoor NCAAs and 8th place at the Olympic Trails. Read on to find out more about her.


RM: What was it like to not only compete at the Olympic Trials but make the finals and be in the hunt for an Olympic berth?

BH: It was amazing. Thats the only word I can say to even try and explain. Everyone's goal is to make it to the finals and try and place top 3! Of course, I placed 8th but this only being my 2nd year running the 800. That gives me a lot of encouragement knowing I still have a lot to learn and every race is a new experience. But to compete with the best in the U.S in the Olympic trials was Awesome!!


RM: What were your thoughts on your season prior to the Olympic
Trials? Did things go according to plan or were you ahead of or
behind where you thought you would be? Winning conference and
placing 3rd at NCAA's are obviously great accomplishments.

BH: As far as my season before the trials, I thought it went pretty well. My training was a bit different this year compared to years before. I started to work more on my strength of endurance while still maintaining my speed. All goals were met, besides the fact I didn't run a lot of 800's till later on towards NCAA Regionals and Championships. My times were kind of freaking me out but it all fall into place like my coach told me it would, so I guess you could say I was right where I was suppose to be.




RM: For those that don't know it, you were a 400 running stud before you moved up to the 800 - having run 55.5 in high school and 52 point outdoors in college. What was the reason you decided to give the 800 a chance your junior year at WMU? Many successful 400
runners just don't want to make that move up.

BH: Yes the 400 was my event, but even in high school everyone would tell me " you know you would be a real good 800 runner if you did the right type of training." I was thinking to myself, yea right. I think coming into college Coach Lycan didn't want to push me into anything I wasn't willing to try, so he left me in my comfort zone which was the 400 and 200. After my sophomore year we talked and he said that he knew I would be a great 800 runner and that if I really wanted to do something nationally or beyond, it was it. After thinking about it and finally giving it a shot, I definitely don't regret it.




RM: You have great range as a track athlete having high jumped 5
foot 7 and running outstanding times in the 400 and 800. What is
your favorite track event and why?

BH: If you would of asked me that a year ago I would of said the 400 but now I would say the 800. Not because I'm better in that but because I know how to run a pretty decent 400 as its all in your lane and I have done it a billion times. The 800 is more of a challenge to me and there is more contact, which I like. I am also curious about what I can do in that event knowing I have really only had 2 years experience and haven't really competed in a lot of competitive races until the trials.


RM: What are your plans now that you are done competing for Western
Michigan? How much longer do you see yourself competing as a track
athlete? Do you have any offers to train with any groups or gain
sponsorship?

BH: I am going to run cross-country for WMU this fall, then train with Coach Lycan still unattached for indoor outdoor since I will be finishing up with school and graduating in April. I see myself competing for a while still. I am only 22 years old and I know I hadn't hit my peak yet. There is still more in me and I am planning on finding out what that is. So far I have had some offers with agents and other coaches but I'm kind of playing it by ear and keeping my options open for now. Eventually I hope and plan on being sponsored.

RM: What was your reason for attending Western Michigan? What was it that set it apart from the other colleges out there that were
recruiting you?

BH: I knew they had a great 400m program and it was close to my home so I knew my parents would be able to attend every meet and that to me was one of the main reasons. Also when I went to my meeting with coach Kelly Lycan, I had a good feeling so that kind of made my mind up. There were other schools I was interested in very much so but when it came down to it I wanted my family to be there when I ran and being only 30 mins away from home was perfect for me!