Turner, IU grad student, to compete for Indiana Elite

De’Sean Turner, IU track and field runner, competed in the IAAF World Champions in Moscow this August.

Currently enrolled in grad school at IU, Turner is also running for Indiana Elite running company and continuing to train.

Turner was selected to compete in Moscow after placing in the top three at the U.S. Track and Field Championships.

In Moscow, Turner competed in the steeplechase, a 3,000-meter race including five barriers per lap and a water pit. Turner finished fifth in his heat and 19th overall out of 41 runners. However, only the top 15 went to the finals.

“It wasn’t my best possible performance, but I felt I competed well and the experience was incredible,” Turner said. “Lining up next to the world’s best has no comparison.”

Now back at IU, Turner runs for Indiana Elite, a post-collegiate running group on campus. This year, Turner is competing in steeplechase, 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter races and hopes to compete in the 5,000-meter.

“Being a former IU runner, (Indiana Elite) was a great option for me,” Turner said. “I couldn’t be more happier with my situation right now.”

Indiana Elite has just begun practices and is starting to prepare its runners for the upcoming indoor season.

“We are getting back into mileage and building a solid base of aerobic training to prepare for what is ahead,” Turner said.

Turner is also a graduate student in the school of Kinesiology getting his master’s degree in Applied Sport Science.

After graduation and his running career, he said his dream job would be to coach track and field at the collegiate level.

“I love running, and having the opportunity to help other young adults follow and achieve their dreams would not only be very enjoyable, but also very challenging,” he said.
 
— Alison Graham