UK coach Lonnie Greene knows not to try and fix anything about Abby Steiner

Not many runners can keep up with Kentucky's Abby Steiner. (UK Athletics Photo)

Kentucky senior sprinter Abby Steiner has had a sensational year at Kentucky winning the 200-meter dash at the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships and also setting collegiate records in the 300 and 200 indoor dashes along with the 200 outdoor.

Normally Steiner has to come from behind in the second half of her races to get the win. That prompted former all-SEC running back Anthony White to ask UK track & field coach Lonnie Greene on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports about Steiner’s slow starts. White wondered if there was a problem with her coming out of the starting blocks and if Greene or assistant coach Tim Hall had tried to change her start.

“We have a philosophy that if it is not broke, don’t fix it,” Greene said. “Abby’s back end speed in my humble opinion probably is up there with maybe the best sprinters in the world today.”

Steiner will get a chance to prove that later this month in the World Championships in Oregon when she’ll face Olympic-level competition in the 200. She will also likely be on the USA 4×400 and 4×200 relay teams.

“Over 200 meters you might beat her for 50 meters but Lord help you the last 100 or 50 meters. She is coming to get you,” Greene said. “Every athlete, I don’t care what sport they are in, there will always be something they can work on.”

“Track and field is no different. Some athletes are perfect to 50 meters but lack back end or top end speed. But no matter how fast you come from the ground (starting block), the race is won on the back end and Abby does great things the second half of the race. That’s what makes her special and why we have not tried to change her.”