Sometimes, the terms "legend'' and "all-time great'' get tossed around a bit too loosely when describing an athlete's place in history.
But that's certainly not the case when it comes to Lilly Shapiro.
Shapiro is the very definition of what a distance running legend is in New Jersey!
There are different ways to achieve legendary status. Doing things that no one has ever done before, smashing records, and winning multiple Meet of Champions titles are some of the ways to attain that lofty status.
Shapiro checks every one of those boxes.
As a junior last spring, Shapiro made state history by becoming the first girl to ever run under 2:10 in the 800m, under 4:50 in the 1,600m, and under 10:20 in the 3,200m! That's right, no one else has that triple! Shapiro's PRs for the season were 2:09.82 in the 800m, 4:40.55 in the 1,600m, and 10:18.36 in the 3,200m. And that was the first time she had ever run the 3,200m.
Shapiro's 4:40.15 at the Holmdel Twilight meet is the fastest time in NJ history for a 1,600m race, and is No. 2 all-time on the converted mile list behind Danielle Tauro's 4:39.25 mile in 2006. And her 10:18.36 is No. 11 in state outdoor history, which includes converted 2-mile times.
She also racked up numerous county, conference and state titles last spring to lead Colts Neck to one of its greatest seasons ever.
Shapiro won the 800m and 1,600m, and anchored the winning 4x800 and 4x400 relays at both the Central Jersey, Group 3 Championships and the State Group 3 Championships to spark the Cougars to the team titles. Then, at the Meet of Champions, Shapiro turned in a stunning distance double when she placed second in the 1,600m, and came back to win the 800m!
She followed that up with a monster XC season, which was highlighted by a State Group 3 title, a runner-up finish at the Meet of Champions in 17:35 -- tied for No. 4 all-time in Holmdel Park history among NJ girls -- and she was a finalist at the Eastbay National Cross Country Championships.
Then, this past indoor season, Shapiro made history yet again when she became the first girl to ever win both the 800m and 1,600m at the same Meet of Champions!
So the big question heading into this outdoor season was what would Shapiro do for an encore in her final season? What could she do to add to her already amazing legacy?
How about break a state record in her first time ever running the steeplechase!!
Shapiro, also one of the best teammates you'll ever find, did exactly that when she added to her remarkable resume at the Georgian Court High School Challenge in Lakewood last Saturday. She covered the 2,000m steeplechase in a state record 6:41.87, which is also the No. 1 time in the nation this season.
Shapiro sliced nearly five seconds off the NJ record of 6:46.67 that another Colts Neck legend, Ashley Higginson, ran when she placed third at the 2007 Nike Outdoor National Championships.
How awesome is that!!!
NJ MileSplit recently caught up with Shapiro for an in depth Q and A where she shed shared some insight about a variety of topics, including her thoughts on breaking the NJ steeplechase record, what she feels is her greatest accomplishment, how she got involved in the sport, her goals for the rest of the season, her college plans and a whole lot more.
So lean back in your recliner or get comfy on your couch, deck, porch, dorm room, apartment or wherever you like to do your reading, and enjoy our latest installment of Feature Friday as we shine the spotlight on Colts Neck senior Lilly Shapiro, a true NJ distance running legend!!!
NJM: First off, congrats on breaking the state record in the steeplechase yesterday! That is so awesome!!! What does it mean to you to be the state record holder, and are you surprised by what you did and how fast you ran in your first time ever running it?
It means so much to be the state record holder in this event. Ashley Higginson, who held the record previously went on to do some amazing things in the steeplechase, so to be in the company of such an amazing runner is so incredible! I wouldn't say I am surprised with the time I ran, this race has been a long time coming and we have put in a lot of work in the hurdle form and other aspects of this race. My goal for this race was to run 80s and see how that feels. The race was really just to see what I could do and to learn the event. I definitely feel like I could go a bit faster in my next steeplechase, as I ran on the conservative side and had a lot left at the end.
Can you explain to everyone who hasn't run the steeple what it's like to run 2,000 meters and jump over barriers and water? It's much tougher than people think it is?
Yeah, it is definitely tough! It feels as if the race is constantly being broken up with each barrier which allows you to focus more on the barrier in font of you rather than the pain or other aspects of the race. As the race goes on, the barriers become progressively harder to get over, but I feel like that is what makes it fun! The water jumps were definitely a surprise as well, the landing is more impactful than I thought and it definitely takes a lot out of your legs.
You obviously come from a distance running family, so tell me why and how this whole distance running thing track started for you?
It started the winter of my freshman year. I was a competitive soccer player with aspirations to play D1 in college. I also however, had aspirations to get a varsity jacket, so with my older sister on the track team and being in the off season for soccer, it was an easy decision to join the winter track team. I experienced quick success and instantly fell in love with both the team and the sport as a whole. I then made the easy decision to quit soccer in the summer going into my sophomore year and train for cross country, where I became a full time runner!
You are the only girl in state history to have ever gone under 2:10 for 800, under 4:45 for 1,600, and also under 10:20 for 3,200. And you've also ran 17:35 at Holmdel, and have won 3 Meet of Champions titles so far in your career. And you're also the only girl to ever win the 800 and 1,600 at the same indoor Meet of Champions. So, there is no doubt that you will go down as one of the greatest distance runners in state history. What does that mean to you, Lilly, to be considered a legendary runner in state history?
I feel like it hasn't really processed in my brain and almost doesn't feel true. I definitely try not to get too wrapped up in those types of things as they can bring unwanted pressure or stress, but it feels incredible for my name to be mentioned among some amazing runners. New Jersey undoubtedly produces some of the best runners in the country which makes it even more special. I even feel like the bar has been raised in New Jersey with the runners in my class like Angelina, Charlotte, and Camryn all running incredibly fast as well.
What do you love the most about being a distance runner, and why do you feel you've been so successful? What do you think has made you as great as you are?
I just love the constant grind that running brings both mentally and physically. I admire how tough you need to be to be successful in this sport and the feeling you get when all of your hard work has paid off. It's the days that the thought of running feels almost dreadful that allow you to be great and that is what I love about this sport. Additionally, the community that distance running produces is like no other sport as I have become good friends with many of my closest competitors. I feel that I have been successful due to the incredibly encouraging support system around me. My coaches are constantly pushing me and expecting great things from me, my parents do everything for me to ensure my success, and my teammates make running fun. While everyone around me helps, I also believe that the mindset I have instilled in myself has allowed me to find success. I don't allow myself to give less than my all and I expect a lot out of myself. Finally, the love I have for the sport and my desire to be great has allowed me to get the most out of myself.
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Last year you ran 4:40.15 for 1,600, which is obviously very close to the state record in the mile of 4:39.25. How much of a goal is it for you to break that state mile record, and what would it mean to you to break such a great record like that?
While I am very close to the record and expect myself to progress enough this year to break it, I don't feel as if my season's focus revolves around the record. I feel that as runners we often put too much emphasis on time and determine our successes or failures on whether or not we run a certain time. With that being said, breaking the record would be an incredible feat and something I never imagined could possibly happen for me.
Besides the state mile record, what are the biggest goals you have for the rest of your high school career?
Getting a late start to the sport and Covid interrupting much of my sophomore year, last year was my first outdoor track season. With that being said, my biggest goals are to experience a complete season and to find joy in racing with both my teammates and individually. I am also looking forward to gaining further experience against some of the best runners in the country and performing well on the national sage.
What do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment as a runner in either XC or track and field and why?
I feel that my greatest accomplishment as a runner was winning the 1600/800 double at the indoor MOC. Those races tested my ability to execute a race plan while also dealing with the expectations of being the favorite. Winning both of those races taught me that I have the ability to accomplish anything I desire with hard work and the proper mindset.
When was your first big breakthrough, when you realized that you could really be a great distance runner and do big things in this sport?
I would say that my big breakthrough began in the winter of my junior year, but really cemented itself later that spring. Running 4:53 for my first indoor race of the season at the Adidas Nationals and then later running 4:49 at the bubble brought a spotlight to my name that didn't exist previously. Then, after a long winter of training at a new level and racing minimally, I found success in almost every race I ran outdoors. Starting my season off with my first ever 3200 in 10:18 and eventually running 2:09 and 4:40 was something I never thought I would accomplish. So, overall, I would say that my junior year produced my biggest breakthrough.
What is up for you next weekend, Lilly? I'm guessing you are getting in one final tune-up before the Penn Relays?
My next race will be Saturday (April 23rd) at the Colts Neck Invitational! I am going to be in the 800!
Speaking of the Penn Relays, I'm guessing you haven't ever run there before since it wasn't held the last two years ago. So how excited are you to be racing there, and what kind of goals do you have for yourself and the team in the DMR?
I am so excited! I've been to Penn Relays to watch my sister (Natalie, who now runs at Dartmouth, but have never participated myself, so I am so excited to finally get a chance. The vibes of the event and the energy that the crowd gives off makes the experience so cool and I can't wait to do it with my teammates. I also think our DMR can do really well there, the girls have all been training well and putting the work in, so we are looking to improve upon our positive indoor results. My favorite thing is to race with my teammates so I feel like Penn Relays is going to be a really amazing experience.
I know that you're committed to UNC. What was about North Carolina and the track and field program there that made you feel that being a Tar Heel was the best fit for you?
Everything about UNC aligned so perfectly to what I wanted out of my college experience and what I was looking to do with my running. Finding a balance between academics, athletics, and my social life was very important to me as well and I felt as if UNC was a school that could offer me that. Additionally, I have a lot of trust and confidence in the coaching staff and their ability to develop each individual athlete to ultimately create a national championship level team. Another very important detail in finding the right college for me was the people and the potential relationships I would build with them. The people at UNC share very similar goals as me and are all excited for the same reasons. Ultimately, it was the place that felt right and was something I was really excited about.
What are your biggest long-term goals in track and field beyond high school, what are you planning to study at Carolina, and what type of career are you planning to pursue?
One of my biggest long-term goals is to ultimately reach my greatest potential in running. I have intentionally left room in my training for improvement and feel that because of that I will continue to progress in order to reach the next level. More importantly, one of my largest goals for the future, beyond high school running is to be a part of a National Championship team. The team aspect of running has always been more important to me than anything individually, so I desire to be apart of a successful college program. In terms of academics, I am not sure what I want to study at Carolina. I plan on taking general classes in the beginning of my first year in order to learn my interests.
