SAN FRANCISCO—Arizona State track and field’s senior Shelby Houlihan was named the Pac-12 Women’s Track Athlete of the Week, Commissioner Larry Scott announced on Monday.
Houlihan made her 2015 outdoor debut at ASU’s Pac-12 vs. Big Ten Invitational on Saturday, March 28, at Sun Angel Stadium, and started off her day by breaking the meet record in the 1500m run with her winning time of 4:14.35. The previous meet record, 4:19.53, was set by Oregon Track Club’s Jemma Simpson in 2007. Houlihan’s time in the 1500m run is the top time in both the NCAA West and the combined list, nearly five seconds faster than the No. 2 mark (combined) and six seconds faster than the No. 2 West time.
Just two weeks after completing a courageous double at the 2015 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in the mile and 3000m run (earned First Team All-America honors in both events), Houlihan also competed as part of ASU’s 4x400m relay team, completing the third leg in 55 seconds and holding the lead en route to the team’s win in a season-best time of 3:38.61. The relay team currently sits at No. 7 in the NCAA West Region and No. 11 in the combined list.
This marks the first Sun Devil accolade from the conference since Chelsea Cassulo earned field honors during the 2013 season (April 30)
Up next for Houlihan and the Sun Devil track and field program is the 36th Sun Angel Track Classic, April 9-11 at Sun Angel Stadium.
Pac-12 Track And Field Athletes Of The Week (March 30, 2015)
Men’s Track: Harrison Williams, Stanford
Women’s Track: Shelby Houlihan, Arizona State
Men’s Field: Nicholas Scarvelis, UCLA
Women’s Field: Abrianna Torres, Colorado