The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Sutherland, Hall ready for final indoor track and field postseason
02.25.2014 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Seniors lead the UT women’s distance unit into the Big 12 Indoor Championships
Big 12 Indoor Championships Preview
By Lauren Giudice, Texas Media Relations
When Texas senior Marielle Hall was competing in the Big 12 Cross Country Championships in November, a familiar face was waiting for her as she crossed the finish line. Teammate and fellow senior Sara Sutherland, who missed the season due to injury, tackled Hall with excitement after she crossed the finish line first.
Hall became the first Texas runner to win the Big 12 Cross Country individual title.
Sutherland was thrilled for her teammate and she was decked out in Texas clothes and held up homemade signs as Hall finished the race in 19:38.16. But, watching, instead of running, wasn't easy for Sutherland.
Seeing Hall's determination in cross country inspired Sutherland even further to do her best during the upcoming track season.
"That was one element that was really encouraging to see that she had made that decision to go out there and race with so much fire," Sutherland said. "It's impossible to not believe in yourself when you see a teammate approaching things in that way and really making the most of their last season. It was very cool."
During her rehabilitation, Sutherland would do 90 minutes to two-and-a-half hours of aerobic activity every day, in addition to weight training. She also made road trips to almost all of the team's fall meets, including the 40-hour round trip drive to Terre Haute, Ind., for nationals with teammates and fellow distance runners Hannah Novelli, Kendall Howen and Connor Ward.
Now Sutherland feels more prepared than ever for the indoor track season. When Hall won the conference cross country championship, she made sure to remind Sutherland that they would be racing together again soon.
"I tried to get her as excited as I could for the indoor season because I knew she was going to kill it, just from all the stuff she was doing and just how she was thinking," Hall said. "She has already killed it. She had run within seconds of her PR (personal record). She's definitely capable of doing so much. I know it was hard for her but I think it was a time where she definitely got stronger. Not many people can do what she did while she was injured and its definitely reflected in her racing so far."
The support Sutherland received from her teammates during her rehabilitation astounded her. She received encouraging text messages and notes in her locker on difficult days. Her teammates would also sit beside her and talk to her as she aqua-jogged (simulated running in a pool).
Hall's support was especially important to her.
"Marielle in particular was so great," Sutherland said. "Having someone who understands exactly how I am in practice day in and day out and goes through every single step with me. It was really awesome to see that she cared so much to come spend the time with me and look out for me when I was coming back. The very first run I did in about two-and-a-half months, she and some other coaches and runners came out and ran with me, even though I was running at a glacial pace."
Now, the two, along with the rest of the track team, will compete in the Big 12 Indoor Championships this week in Ames, Iowa. The women's track and field team, ranked No. 5 nationally, is looking to claim the indoor conference title after being edged (150.5-148) by Kansas last season.
In their final season in Burnt Orange, Hall and Sutherland feel a responsibility to help bring a conference title to Texas. In addition, they hope to set qualifying times for next month's NCAA Indoor Championships.
Sutherland is currently No. 11 on this year's national performers list in the 5,000m (15:53.98) and 16th in the 3000 (9:10.54). She owns the school record in the indoor 5,000. Hall is 35th nationally in the mile after running the second-best time (4:41.19) in school history two weeks ago at the Razorback Invitational.
The top 16 on the national performers list for each individual event qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships (March 14-15).
Brad Herbster, the team's assistant coach who focuses on distance events as well as cross country, is in the middle of his first season at Texas. He recruited Hall when he was coaching at Clemson and had coached opposing teams facing Sutherland and Hall.
"To be good at running you have to run, but you also have to do the little things," Herbster said. "I think the women and the team look at Marielle and Sara and say 'oh yeah, that's how I get better.' They've made the team better by pulling everyone else along."
But, this time, Sutherland won't be a bystander. She and Hall will race together for their last Big 12 Indoor meet and will be among the favorites. Hall is the No. 1-ranked miler in the conference, while Sutherland is second in the 3,000m and first in the 5,000.
"We've realized this is the last season," Sutherland said. "It's the last chance. There's no reason to have any self doubt or wonder what the outcome will be. It's so much easier to look forward and do the best I can. I set two goals for my self this season. They are, number one, have fun, number two, don't run slow. That's it."