January 30th, 2021
Copyright Don Liebig/ASUCLA
Shelbi Schauble recently finished her first season with the UCLA Bruins track and field team. She competed in the triple jump for the Rafer Johnson/ Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational, getting 10.58m (34-8.50). Schauble noted she was feeling “a lot of emotions” during her Bruin debut.
“That was a really interesting experience because it’s my first time competing in two years,” Schauble said. “I felt kind of like a rookie out there even though I’m in college.”
Her first season would have been last year, but the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the track and field season for UCLA.
During her high school years, Schauble was a two-time Foothill League Champion in the triple-jump. Schauble learned the triple jump during her junior year and soon excelled in the event in the competitive Southern Section.
“That same year, that six-month period of competing, I was able to make it to the state meet individually … it’s a big deal to if you can qualify on your own,” Schauble said.
In the preliminary round of the State meet, Schauble came in 18th place which put her on the radar for several schools; she ultimately committed to UCLA.
During track meets, Schauble would compete in the long jump to help the West Ranch High School track team gain points along with competing in the 4x100m and 4x400m events. Her coach then introduced her to the triple jump.
“Triple jump is one of those hidden gems … if someone knows what triple jump is, they know track and they know jumps,” Schauble said. “I just started learning it and falling in love with it … it felt like it was my thing because no one else in the team had done it.”
Schauble also ran cross country for three seasons at West Ranch. She came in seventh place with a 18:32.3 time in the Foothill League Finals. During the 37th Annual Woodbridge XC Classic, Schauble made a personal record of 17:59.1. As she excelled in the triple jump, Schauble did not continue to compete in cross country. However, Schauble valued her friendships with her teammates.
“Cross country was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she said. “I like cross country, as hard as it was. I never formed a closer bond with my teammates.”
Balancing academics with athletics has not been a challenge for Schauble, she was an honors student in high school. Taking community college courses during her high school years prepared her for classes at UCLA. Her high school cross country team also had a strong academic work ethic which helped Schauble hold herself accountable.
“I came on to a team where all the girls had a 4.0 or higher,” Schauble said. “Growing up around people where the academic standard was so high, that became my whole thing.”
Schauble is a policy major, she mentioned how the major complements her interest in the issues that the United States face and her desire to help others.
“I think it’s a really great major and it gives a lot of young people the tools to use their voice and fight for policies and things that they think is right,” Schauble said. “You can really shape the country and you can use it to really make a big influence on the direction that our country is headed.”
Schauble started running track at a young age. She was inspired by her father, Chris, who participated in marathons and Ironman triathlons.
“If you can say that you did one of those, it’s like a really big accomplishment,” Schauble said. “Growing up, we would travel and watch my dad compete a lot.”
