July 11, 2018
NASHVILLE – The Vanderbilt track and field team added a member to the 2018-19 roster with the addition of Taiya Shelby from Kansas City, Mo. The addition of Shelby moves the 2018-19 class to seven student-athletes which features three state champions and spans six states and Canada.
Taiya Shelby
Kansas City, Mo.
Park Hill HS
Shelby won the Missouri state championship in the 800 meters and placed third in the 400 meters. Shelby was also selected to the Team Missouri squad that competed at The Great Southwest Classic in New Mexico where her 4×800 relay team won the championship.
Quoting Assistant Donnie Young …
“We’re extremely fortunate that a quality runner like Taiya was able to sign with us during the second signing period. She has tremendous range and it showed this year by running the 400 and moving up to the 800. Not only did she move up to a longer event, but she had great success at it. She won the Missouri State Championship in the 800 meters this season and doubled back in the 400 placing third. That is an extremely difficult double, but she did it. It also showed her willingness to do whatever she could to help the team score more points. She’s a tough runner and we love tough runners. She also was selected to represent Team Missouri that competed at The Great Southwest Classic, in New Mexico and they won the 4×800. I can’t wait to get to work with her.”
Shelby’s Top Times
400m 55.33
800m 2:12.58
Why Vanderbilt …
“My college choice was centered around track however academics are very important to me. Vanderbilt gives me the chance to be a part of a good conference but an even better school. I really like the team, coach and overall atmosphere. Other schools I visited had parts of what I looking for, but Vandy seems to have it all. That is why I chose to become a Commodore!”
For more information on the Vanderbilt cross country and track and field teams check them out on the website at www.vucommodores.com and on Twitter at @vandyxctrack.
