- See Less -After realizing that she couldn't be the best on a track team without working out, Shayne Culpepper took seriously her role as University of Colorado Track and Field team member...so seriously that she achieved her spot on the 2004 Olympic Team. Coming up from a grade and high school background in gymnastics with some thigh school track in Vermont, followed by some successes in college track at Vermont, Shayne (Wille) Culpepper became passionate about transferring to the University of Colorado by being a passionate competitor and earned All-American for the Indoors 3,000m. After college Shayne achieved champion status in 2004 Olympic trials for 5,000m, a 2004 World Indoor Bronze Medal for 3,000m, was a two time USA Indoor 3,000m Champion in '04 and '05, and was 1st in the Adidas Track Classic for 1,500m in 2005. However, Shayne Culpepper may be most remembered for her zest and passion for competition when she was clipped from behind in the 2004 World Indoors 3,000m event. The clip caused her to stumble but she immediately refocused on the race and came in 3rd behind Meseret Defar (9: 11.22) and Berhane Odere (9:11.43). In a race that she was not meant to win, Shayne took third place above the rest of the world's finest with a time of 9:12.15. It may have not been a dazzling victory for her according to the stats, but according to leaders within the sport's inner circles, it was a dazzling victory reflecting Shayne's grasp of the spirit of the sport. This spirit is shared with her husband and
fellow runner, Alan Culpepper, and the young family they are both raising. Shayne may take periodic hiatus from competitions due to demands of motherhood, but she is never far from the passion for the sport and continues to train herself for fut
