Jerry Schumacher's Group Runs Through Organized Speed Workout

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Shelby Houlihan paced four of her Bowerman Track Club teammates to personal-best times in the 1,500 meters over two races – and then won a 600-meter race and took part in a 4x400 mixed gender relay. 

It was all in a night's work for the standout member an American record holder Tuesday in the third BTC intrasquad meet at Jesuit High in Portland. 

In the first race on a warm evening in the Northwest, Houlihan took Karissa Schweizer, Colleen Quigley and Elise Cranny through 1,100 meters at 64-second pace. Schweizer, in a bid to become the eighth American woman to break four minutes in the 1,500 meters, came up just a tiny fraction short, clocking 4:00.02. 

Additionally, 15 minutes later, Houlihan went 1,200 meters on 65-66 pace for Courtney Frerichs (4:07.39), Marielle Hall (4:10.77) and Gwen Jorgensen (4:19.57) – all personal bests. 

RESULTS | VIDEO REPLAY

Moh Ahmed, two weeks since his North American Area record in the 5,000 meters, pummeled his 1,500-meters personal best by running the fastest among the men in 3:34.89, elevating to No. 5 all-time in Canada. 

"The ongoing joke in the club is that I can't break 3:40," Ahmed said. "So, it was (about) showing that I can do that a little bit."

Seven men in the group ran under 3:40 thanks to 1,200 meters of pacing by Lopez Lomong. 

In a pair of 600-meter races, the men's and women's fields wound up the pace with each passing 100 meters and worked on their finishing kicks. 

Houlihan sped away from Schweizer to win in 1:32.27. Lomong held off Sean McGorty on the homestretch to win the men's race in 1:22.04.

The action concluded with four teams running in a 4x400 relay. Ahmed said afterward it was his first time holding a baton. For others, it was a rare opportunity to do something they hadn't done since college, or high school. 

Grant Fisher outkicked McGorty for the victory after both zoomed past Schweizer on the final curve. 

"I certainly never got to do that before, so that was fun," Fisher said.