NCAA Track & Field Star Parker Valby’s Predecessor – The 4X NCAA Champion Who Had a 14-Year-Long Record Broken at Bryan Clay Invitational

A 4X NCAA Champion will remain one of the greatest track and field talents despite being toppled recently. The Iowa native, who competed for Iowa State University, saw her 14-year-long record being smashed by another upcoming talent, Parker Valby. Competing at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Valby beat the previous record by a whopping twenty- eight seconds. After running in the 10000m for the first time, Valby clocked 30:50.43 to stun the crowd. 

However, even though her record is now officially gone, a solitary achievement cannot, in any way, deter the impact of the 36-year-old retired track sensation. Starting from her freshman year, she impressed everyone as she clinched the Big 12 outdoor track and field championship. And ever since, the joyride continued. 

Lisa Uhl and her career of awesomeness

Lisa Uhl has won the NCAA Division I championship a whopping four times. Running in both the 10000 and 5000 m disciplines, Uhl recorded personal bests of 31:12.80 and 14:55.74, respectively. However, it was her performance in the 10000m that brought Uhl to the spotlight. Running at the 2010 Stanford Invitational, Uhl established the record that would eventually remain unscathed for 13 long years. 

Reminiscing about her glorious past, Uhl, in a 2020 interview stated, “Definitely proud, mostly shocked…I felt so good that day that I think I definitely underestimated the accomplishment at the time.” Uhl seemed to be right on the money from her college days as she won the 2008 outdoor track and field championship with ease. Her on-court shenanigans landed her a place at the 2008 Olympic trials, where she finished eighth. 

Another major jewel was added to her crown in the 2008-09 season. As Lisa Uhl was adjudged as the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America of the Year. She competed in the Dam to Dam half marathon in 2015 and clinched the pole position by clocking a seventy-seven-minute finish. Having hung up her boots now, Uhl is happily leading a retired life. 

Life after retirement for Uhl has been anything but sleepy

Soon after moving away from the tracks, Lisa Uhl completed her doctorate in veterinary medicine. However, she also mentioned trying to get another Ph.D. via a residency in pathology. Speaking with the Des Moines Register back in 2021, Uhl then spoke about embracing motherhood and how her son was too important for her. 

Reflecting on the same, Uhl said, “He just turned 19 months. As you said, he’s taken over my life, as often times kids do. He’s great. He’s so fun, so exhausting, quite a character. It’s been really rewarding and a big part of my life now is him.” When asked if her son knew of his mother’s fame, Lisa Uhl shrugged and refrained from being coined as famous. 

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