Marshall Returns to NCAA Prelims with High Hopes

Marshall Q&A
Camden Marshall produced one of the highlight moments of the Big Ten Outdoor Championships when he kicked with 200 meters to go to win IU's first outdoor conference title in the 800 meters since 2019.

Despite swapping his patented long-hair look for a fresh, postseason buzz cut, Marshall ran 1:46.57 to win his second Big Ten title. His time, No. 3 in program history, has only been bettered by Cooper Williams and Daniel Kuhn; each who ran their personal best times in the Big Ten finals on the same track in 2018.

Marshall, now a two-time Big Ten Champion and two-time All-American, has his eyes set on his first individual bid to the NCAA Championships. He will need to progress through two preliminary rounds in Jacksonville (May 24-27) but possesses the No. 5 time in the nation across 800 meters.

Set to return for his final two years in Bloomington, Marshall intends to send retiring IU head coach Ron Helmer out on a high note. After missing out on a bid to nationals last season by .01 seconds, Marshall is ready for a second chance at the regional meet.

The opening round of the 800 meters is scheduled for 7:50 PM (Wednesday). The quarterfinals would run at 7:05 PM on Saturday evening.

How do you feel the indoor season went for you?
"Indoor season was great but I felt like I was just on the cusp of a breakthrough. I didn't qualify individually in any events so that left a bad taste in my mouth. But it was super fun. Getting to load up a DMR and go out to Albuquerque was awesome."

What's it been like during the outdoor season?
"It's been a battle, at least in the 800, to try and get good weather to race in. It finally happed at Billy Hayes and I ran 1:47. The Penn State boys ended up taking it out pretty hot at the Big Ten Championships and ended up having a fun one on the home track."

You ran 3:39 in the 1500 meters to open the outdoor season, did you expect that?
"Didn't really have any expectations for that 1500 in Florida. It was the first one I'd run in a year so I just wanted to get out and go with it. Luckily there was an Olympian in the field so I had a good guy to go chase down. Didn't expect 3:39 but it was just about running and competing and seeing it happen."

Your first two years have been filled with great success; did you expect that right away?
"I honestly thought it would be a bigger transition. I struggled my first fall here in cross country so I guess that was my growing pains. Certainly, didn't expect to win Big Ten's in my first couple years. I'm further ahead than I thought I would be coming in."

What's it like training with such talented kids?
"It's been really cool. I get the best of both worlds. I'll train with Jake [Gebhardt] some and I'll hop down and train with Keefer [Soehngen] and Parker [Raymond] in the middle-distance squad."

What has it meant to be guided by Coach Helmer these last two years?
"It's been awesome. Coach Helmer has seen it all. This past weekend, I just went out and did exactly what he said. I can put all my trust in him and then just go out and run hard. I know I'm getting as good as training as possible."

How is it like handing bad weather or tough races?
"It's tough for sure and difficult at times. It doesn't really matter as much what you're doing in March and April. The bulk of the season is in May and June so I've got to put that in perspective. You've got to run hard all the time."

Were you a little extra amped up in the 4x800 at Penn Relays after falling in the DMR?
"I was fired up. I was pretty frustrated. I thought the DMR we brought to Penn Relays was the best shot we had at a wheel so I was pretty upset when I fell on the second lap. The next day I got the stick down on a pack and just got out really hard."

To be Coach Helmer's final Big Ten Champion, what does that mean?
"It was super cool especially on the home track. I normally don't hear a lot when I'm racing but I heard the roar when we were coming down the homestretch. I hadn't won Big Ten since indoors my freshman year so it was really cool to get another one. The field was loaded. We had a feeling the Penn State guys would take it so I just wanted to get out with them."

What would it mean to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships?
"It's something I've been wanting to do. I missed outdoor nationals by .01 seconds last year so that left a sour taste in my mouth. It would be a super cool experience and I'm hoping to make it there."

Coming from a small town, what's it been like jumping onto the conference and national stage?
"It is cool but also weird. Even in high school I didn't come on until late. Nobody even knew who I was until the state meet my senior year. It's different but it's really cool to do it at my state school in Indiana."

Was there any reason for cutting your hair?
"There was absolutely no reason behind it. I was walking downtown and saw a barber shop and went in."

What does it mean to be able to send Coach Helmer out after all these years of coaching?
"It's super cool. Coach Helmer has done so much for me and been there for everything. It's awesome to have the success right now and send him out the right way."

Indiana University Athletics

Marshall Returns to NCAA Prelims with High Hopes

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