See Shelley run.

See Shelley jump.

These days, there are very few things you won't see Shelley Mitchell do at a Penn State women's track meet.

Mitchell, the team captain, received an invitation to represent Penn State and the Big Ten at the Stanford Invitational last weekend. One day and five events later, Mitchell had coaches from the Big Ten whispering among themselves something to the effect of, "Shelley Mitchell should be athlete of the week for the conference."

The facts support the statement.

In the Big Ten vs. Pac-10 relay races, Mitchell participated on two winning teams. Anchoring the shuttle hurdle (4x100) and running the second leg of the mile relay, Mitchell helped both to reach the tape first. For some this would be a content afternoon, but Mitchell was far from finished.

The 400-meter hurdles, Mitchell's specialty, the high jump and the 100-meter hurdles were still on her agenda. A tough schedule, but there was plenty of motivation.

"In California there is such a difference," Mitchell said. "With the warm weather there is so much motivation to run."

Not to mention the free pair of Reeboks awarded to the first-place finishers. It didn't matter what type of sneakers where on Mitchell's feet, as she blazed to second place in the 400 hurldes in 59.95 seconds. This is the event which has been Mitchell's ticket to the NCAA championships the past two years. In 1992 she should complete the hat trick.

"Shelley definitely has a great chance to be an All-American this year," Coach Teri Jordan said.

To do so requires a top-eight NCAA finish. Last year Mitchell was twelfth. This year she is shooting for fourth or better.

Mitchell is also established in the jump events. With immense talent in the 400 hurdles it may seem counterproductive for Mitchell to continue to compete in such a plethora of events instead of focusing on a single area. It helps the team, though. Mitchell is a team player.

"She can score in so many different places," Jordan said. "Her versatility makes her more valuable to the team."

It was the jack-of-all-trades ability of Mitchell which opened Jordan's recruiting eye four years ago.

"First I was attracted to Shelley because of her versatility," Jordan said, "and once you get to know her you can't help but like her."

Her personality, work ethic and confidence have earned the respect of her teammates. Two Eastern College Athletic Conference 400-meter hurdles and pentathlon titles may earn the respect of others. Mitchell has not only been consistent, she has been consistenly outstanding.

"She has proven herself year in and year out," Jordan explained.

Even in 1989, as a freshman struggling to adjust to a big college, Mitchell was posting impressive numbers. She was on the Junior National team for the second year in a row and participated in the Olympic Festival in Oklahoma City. Still, the Lakewood, N.J., resident did not warm up to college competition right away.

"I hated it at first," said Mitchell of her transition from High School to Penn State. "I had trouble adjusting and trying to uphold the track image I had in high school."

In stepped Ernestine Marsh. Marsh, the Lady Lions' senior hurdling standout at the time, took Mitchell under her wing. Her laid-back approach helped ease the tension the young Mitchell was suffering.

"Ernie never felt pressured, she always had fun," Mitchell said. "She helped me to become more relaxed."

Now it is Mitchell who is teaching others to be relaxed. As a senior she tries to share her smarts with the younger runners on the squad.

"As captain I just try to have a positive attitude," she said. "When I see that a freshman is frustrated I'll tell them not to pull their hair out over it, to just relax."

Mitchell will graduate from Penn State next January. Once her collegiate career is done, her track career may be just beginning. The first thing Mitchell says she will do is flee from the chilly northeast and head south. Afterall, the warm weather does motivate her.

No more five-event meets after college, just the 400-meter hurdles. No more distractions. Only-hand picked meets and a desire to excel. Mitchell is self-motivated, she will succeed if she wants to. She is talented, the accomplishments may have only began.

Perhaps in 1996 we will once again see Shelley Mitchell run . . . in the Olympics.