This week on Real Talk, I had the pleasure of getting to know Abby Steiner.
Abby Steiner absolutely burst onto the world stage in 2022. First making waves while at the University of Kentucky, she started to garner attention by earning an NCAA Championship indoors in the 200 meters (having also won this event in 2021), and a 2nd place finish for 60 meters. Once outdoor season came around, however, her status continued to grow, from star collegian to worldwide phenomenon.
Every step along the way, Abby continued to find herself on the podium. First with gold at outdoor NCAA’s in the 200 meters (plus relay gold in the 4×400), then she was crowned USA Champion in the 200 after besting the entire elite field at the USATF Outdoor Championships, setting a personal best of 21.77 seconds along the way. As USA Champion, Steiner earned a place on Team USA for the Oregon22 World Championships in Eugene, which took place just a few weeks later.
While in Eugene, Abby continued to leave her mark, earning a 5th place finish the 200 meters, and earning the title of World Champion with gold medal finishes as part of both the 4×100 and 4×400 squads.
The cherry on top of her amazing 2022 season? She was recently awarded the prestigious Bowerman Award, an honor awarded to the top female college track and field athlete of the year.
Hailing from Dublin, Ohio, Abby focused mainly on soccer in her youth, and started running track in eighth grade. She would go on to be an all-state standout in both sports and earn a scholarship to the University of Kentucky. After her freshman year at UK, she shifted her focus solely to the track.
In our conversation, we went through it all.
Abby was anxious for a swift recovery from surgery. It takes time- more than a year— play it cool- Abby can peak again in one to two years. Abby, go back and study Sebastian Cole. He had a great comeback- Give the bones and ligaments time to heal properly. I am not saying Sebastian had the same injury— Sebastion focused on training and ceased competing so much before his comeback. Steiner has the best top end and the best twitch in the muscles. Allow the bones, ligaments and tendons to catch up. A great athlete- a winner is Abby. Chin up and don’t be discouraged.