Jayhawk Sophomore Andrea Geubelle Has Lofty Goals On And Off The Track

Feb. 16, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas Sophomore Andrea Geubelle has been no stranger to athletic excellence throughout her career. Dating as far back as her high school days at Curtis Senior High in University Place, Washington, she has known nothing but success.

Geubelle was a member of the volleyball, basketball and soccer teams, where she proved that she was as talented as she was versatile. She was selected as the varsity team captain in volleyball her junior and senior years and was chosen as the team MVP in 2009. However, her accomplishments on the court and on the field cannot even compare to what she has done as a long and triple jumper in track and field, despite not joining her high school team until her sophomore year.

This is hard to believe considering how dominant Geubelle was in the long and triple jump back home in Washington and now at Kansas. Her high school accomplishments will impress even the most decorated of track and field athletes. She was selected as the 2009 Gatorade Athlete of the Year in Washington after a stellar season that saw her break the state high school records in both the long and triple jump. She also earned three-straight state championships in both events. The list of her pre-college accomplishments goes on and on, making her one of the most decorated Washington high school track and field athletes ever.

So why did this talented jumper decide to make the 1,500 mile trip to Mt. Oread?

“My whole family lives in Kansas,” said Geubelle. “My parents grew up here so we’ve always been KU fans.”

Family ties weren’t the only reason for Geubelle’s quick interest in KU.

“I had a lot of other perspective schools and then I met Coach (Wayne) Pate,” said Geubelle. ‘He coached the same way as my high school coach, so it seemed like a really good fit. He is a fun and outgoing guy and he has developed so many Olympians.”

Even after making the jump to KU, Geubelle didn’t waiver from her streak of outstanding performances. In just her freshman season she notched seven first place finishes in the long jump and triple jump, and came within six inches of breaking KU’s all-time record in the triple jump at the Drake Relays.

When asked what her favorite meet has been thus far in her career, the answer was obvious, “The Drake Relays,” Geubelle quickly answered. “It was a well put together meet, and I set personal bests in both events there. That’s definitely where I jumped my best.”

That triple jump mark made her only the third women in KU history to have a jump over 43 feet. She went on to earn All-America honors in the long jump at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

It has been well publicized what Geubelle has done on the track, but what does she do when she isn’t winning medals and setting records?

“I love to just relax,” said Geubelle. “My life is committed to track, it’s pretty much all I do. Anytime I get to just hangout or be with friends, I take advantage of it. I take every chance I can to go have dinner with one of my roommates. It’s just nice to take it easy.”

It’s no surprise she spends most of her down time relaxing, because on the track she is constantly performing at the highest level. So far this season she has recorded three first place finishes, with her season’s longest triple jump coming at the New Balance Invitational in New York City, hitting a mark of 12.86m (42-02.25ft.). She has even found time to try her talents in the 60-meter dash and 200-meter dash, both of which she has recorded top three finishes.

Geubelle also must find time to devote to her school work. Currently she majoring in community health and would eventually like to do the pre-nursing program. Her main career goal after college is to become a pediatric oncologist. It’s no secret though that she has additional track goals as well.

“I would definitely like to pursue a career in track after college,” said Geubelle. I want to keep competing and see how far I can go. I want to have a shot at the 2012 Olympics, so I would definitely like to make it to the Olympic trials.”

To most people this dream would be completely unrealistic, but for Geubelle, it is possible she could be representing the U.S. at some point in her career. She already has experience competing against the best triple jumpers in the world. She was the top American finisher at the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships, appearing as though she is already prepared for a strong international career after her time in Lawrence is over.

Even though Geubelle has her mind set toward the world stage, she still has high expectations of herself with the KU track and field squad. Without hesitation, she can quickly list of her goals.

“Obviously I want to make NCAA’s in both triple and long jump,” said Geubelle. “I would like to earn All-American honors as often as possible, I just want to keep doing what I’m doing.”

There is no doubt in her mind that she will accomplish those goals and if her past performances are any indication of what is to come, there is little doubt Andrea Geubelle won’t be able to continue her trend of championship performances.