Saltz, a two-time Big Sky Conference 800 champion and Thunderbirds’ program record holder in 400, 600 and 800, joins Hoyas to pursue Master’s degree and complete track career after summer internship in Washington D.C.

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Linnea Saltz isn’t a stranger to spending time in the nation’s capital.

Only this time, the middle-distance standout will be staying in Washington D.C. longer than just a three-month internship.

Saltz, a two-time Big Sky Conference 800-meter champion at Southern Utah, confirmed Tuesday that she will be attending Georgetown University as a graduate student-athlete to train under coach Julie Culley during the 2020-21 school year.

“Georgetown as a program was immediately appealing, but Coach Culley really was what solidified my decision,” Saltz said. “Knowing that she has had such a successful career with running both on the track as a competitor, and off the track as a coach was very appealing.”

Saltz, 21, will have only the spring outdoor season to compete next year for the Hoyas, but does plan to run unattached during the indoor season. In addition, Saltz will be pursuing a Master’s degree in public relations and corporate communications as well as working part-time at American Capitol Group, where she interned from May to August last year.

“Having a job in D.C. was the main reason I wanted to move back East as soon as possible,” Saltz said. “I wanted to finish out track in the best way achievable, yet I didn’t want to stay in (Cedar City) to postpone my career path. Being able to attend Georgetown as well as begin working back at the firm I interned for over the summer will only put me in the most desirable situation to kickstart my career in political lobbying.”

Saltz, the Southern Utah program record holder in the 400, 600 and 800 meters, earned the opportunity to compete in an additional track season at Georgetown when the NCAA Division 1 Council provided extra eligibility and potential scholarship relief March 30 for seniors competing in spring sports.

The NCAA decided to shut down all winter postseason and championship events, along with canceling the spring sports schedule March 12 as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

Saltz, a 2016 graduate of Coronado High in Nevada, won her first Big Sky indoor 800 title Feb. 29 at Idaho State by clocking 2:08. She also helped Southern Utah place second in the 4x400 relay.

Saltz captured the Big Sky outdoor 800 championship last year in 2:07.63 and finished 20th at the NCAA Division 1 West Regionals in Sacramento. She clocked personal bests of 53.99 in the 400 and 2:05.82 in the 800 last spring, in addition to lowering her own indoor 600 record to 1:30.62 on Jan. 17 at Northern Arizona.

“The coaching at SUU is what made me the runner I am today,” Saltz said. “Being a very non-traditional mid-distance runner, my coaches (Brent Springall and Eric Houle) worked extremely hard to regiment workout programs that would benefit me the most. They also constantly ensured that I competed at the best competitions to provide me with every successful opportunity possible.

“Looking at times and competition levels in the Big East, I think I have been in a similar conference in terms of competition, so I feel very prepared for this transition.”

Georgetown is expected to return reigning Big East Indoor 800 champion Olivia Arizin, along with last year’s conference outdoor 800 winner Cathilyn McIntosh.

Sami Corman, the defending Big East indoor mile champion, led off Georgetown’s victorious 4x800 relay team at the conference indoor final, which also included Arizin, Alie Fordyce and Katherine Lee.

The addition of Saltz will be significant for the Hoyas, who placed sixth at the Big East Indoor final after finishing fifth at last year’s conference outdoor championship meet.

“I have probably been in contact with over 10 new teammates,” Saltz said. “They were so great reaching out during the recruiting process and once I committed, I had a bunch of girls reach out, it was super sweet.”