Abby Steiner - Dublin Coffman's Competitive and Dedicated Freshman Sprinter!

Steiner at the Pickerington D1 Central District winning her heat.

Dublin Coffman's Abby Steiner is a competitive and dedicated two sport athlete that is atop the 100 and 200m D1 rankings as we head into Regionals and she is just a Freshman!

OhioMileSplit: Abby, thank you for the opportunity to talk with you. You are currently atop the D1 rankings in the State in both the 100 and the 200 with times of 11.92 and 24.17. You are ranked 14th in the 400 with a 57.21. You won the 2015 OATCCC 60m D1 Indoor Championship with a 7.55 and also the Indoor 200 with a 24.80. Last year you won the Middle School State 100 in 12.24. You have lost only three times this year. Once at the NBIN, where you were one of three 9th graders in the 60 (35th 7.81), in the NBIN 200 where you were the only 9th grader (26th 25.04) and in the 400m at the Gary Smith Worthington Invitational where you were 2nd to another 9th grader, Jazzlynn Gaiters of Thomas Worthington. Gaiters ran 57.18 and you ran 57.21. That is a great start to your high school career.

When did you first start running? What did you run?

Abby: I first started running a year ago in 8th grade and I ran the 100m, the 400m, and the 4 x 100m relay.

OhioMileSplit: What were your expectations as you began your Freshman year?

Abby: I didn't have many expectations for myself going into my freshman track season because I wasn't sure what to expect from it personally and with the competition from around Ohio. I just wanted to enjoy every race and see how well I could do.

OhioMileSplit: Thus far, how would you compare running at the D1 level in High School to running in Middle School?

Abby: It definitely is hard to compare, but while running in Middle School, I got to see some of the same competition I am seeing now in High School, so it was fun to run against them when I was just starting out.

OhioMileSplit: I believe that you play soccer in the Fall and that you were one of the teams leaders that took Coffman to the State finals? Tough question -- with the talent that you have and the potential opportunity to run at the next level if your running career continues as it has so far, will you or have you thought about not playing soccer to avoid any possibility of injury?

Abby: I play soccer almost all year round from the middle of July to the end of June. I have not given it any deep thought because I love both sports and choosing one is not something I could do anytime soon, but I know that there are risks that come from playing a contact sport like soccer.

OhioMileSplit: Let's talk about last indoor season. What were your expectations for running indoors? Was it the first time for you running indoors?

Abby: It was my first time ever running indoors and I didn't really even know what it was like until I went to watch an indoor meet in January. Going into it I just viewed it as extra practice to improve myself and see the competition from all around Ohio, so I didn't have any huge expectations for myself.

OhioMileSplit: As you moved through the indoor season and ran Ohio #1 times in both the 60 and the 200, prior to the OATCCC meet, what were your thoughts? Were you feeling mounting pressure, especially as a freshman and having never been in that position before?

Abby: I was so excited knowing that I had run those times and I would check Mile Split every weekend to see how my times were comparing to others. I didn't feel any pressure, but it was a brand new experience for me and I knew I had to just come out and perform like I could for the State Meet.

OhioMileSplit: Ohio year in and year out has some of the most talented runners in the nation. What were your thoughts when you won the 60 indoor championship and then again the 200?

D1 Champion in the OATCCC 60m (7.55)

Watch our Interview with Abby after her 60m Win


Abby: I was just so excited to be able to run against Ohio's best and winning those events and improving my times was so awesome! Sometimes it's still hard to believe.

OhioMileSplit: Can you take us through each of those races from pre-race thoughts to getting into the blocks, the run, the finish and the realization that you had won?

Abby: Before every race I don't talk a lot but I just focus in on what I need to do to win, from block starts to my running form throughout the race. During a race my mind is just completely blank especially in the shorter races like the 60m. In the 200m my first thought is to catch lane 8 as quickly as I can and then try to keep that pace. Once I realized I had won I was just really excited and happy that the race had gone as I planned.

OhioMileSplit: Before we talk about the outdoor season and the upcoming State meet, I have one more question? You are fast, but the 400 just may be your best event? You have run a 57.21 without any concentration on the 400. What are your thoughts on the 400 vs the 100 and the 200?

Abby: When I ran that 57.21 I had just come from playing an 80 minute soccer game so I have not really run the 400m with fresh legs. I love running the 400m because it's all about coming down to the end and how much you are willing to work because it is a very hard race. I like the 400m too because there isn't as much pressure to get a perfect block start like the 100m and 200m.

OhioMileSplit: At this point in your career, which is your favorite event? Why?

OATCCC D1 200m Champion (24.80)

Watch our Interview with Abby after her 200m Win


Abby: My favorite event would be either the 200m or the 4 x 400m relay. I love the 200m because it's just a long sprint and being able to see people in the lanes ahead at the start makes it fun to chase them down. I also love the 4 x 400m relay because it's so fun to cheer on my teammates and to chase down the teams ahead of you especially on the final straightaway.

OhioMileSplit: You are running events in which the start is so important, especially the 60 and the 100. How much time do you spend a week working on your starts and coming out of the blocks?

Abby: I spend 2 or 3 days a week doing block starts and trying to perfect them for my races.

OhioMileSplit: Are you doing any in season weight training? What type of weight training do you do?

Abby: I do weight training once or twice a week. I normally would do more but on most days I go to soccer practice right from track practice. When I do lift it's mostly arms, legs and core that I am working on.

OhioMileSplit: Are your track workouts geared more toward speed or strength at this point in the season?

Abby: At this point I would say its working more on speed and less endurance and strength.

OhioMileSplit: What are your goals and expectations for Regionals and State?

Abby: To keep performing as best as I can and make it to State in both the 100 and 200m.

OhioMileSplit: What motivates Abby to run?

Abby: I think what motivates me most to run is that I love it so much and my competitiveness. There is no feeling like the one before and during a race.

OhioMileSplit: If you could use one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

Abby: Dedicated