(October 2005) Olympian Challenges All-Comers San Diego Union Tribune (April 2004) Viewer Favorite! ***** The Media Can't Win Against "The Passion." La Prensa San Diego (February 2005) Wright's Serves Food Right: Hormone-Free La Prensa San Diego (February 2005) Ancient water supply may save us from future droughts La Prensa San Diego (February 2005) Big Wheel Keeps on Turning for Ex-Charger Whelihan JDHawk.com Exclusive (January 2005) Viewer Favorite! ***** The Groz-- PC friendly, but intellectually dishonest La Prensa San Diego (December 2004) CV cheerleaders win national championship The Star-News (April 2003) Viewer Favorite! ***** Miracle On Third Ave? The Ranch (November 2003) Viewer Favorite! ***** A Journey of 30 Thousand Houses Begins with a Single Home The Lake (July 2004) Viewer Favorite! ***** US Navy invades EastLake The Lake (January 2004) Magnuson plays Solloto -- a Star Rising? The Ranch (January 2004) The new Bad Boy is coming The Lake (January 2004) Daydreams The Lake (January 2004) Meet your neighbor Shelia Burrell The Ranch (December 2003) John Dí Acquisto, the man who lived his dream. The Ranch (August 2003) Lolita's Opens in Sunbow The Ranch (August 2003) Greeter Guards -- What do they do? The Lake (July 2003) Bliss-ball The Ranch (June 2003) The Heritage Center has brought the exotic to Otay Ranch. The Star-News (June 2003) The Chula Vista Yacht Club's Juniors Sailing Program The Star-News (May 2003) Trolley victim re-visited The Ranch (June 2003) GEM The Lake (July 2003) EastLake mourns loss of South Bay Icon Unpublished Sars inspires local inventor		Meet your neighbor Shelia Burrell For God, Gold and Glory By J.D. Hawk This is her last chance. Shelia Burrell is a heptathlete who lives at the Olympic Training Center, who is ranked #1 in the country and carries America's hopes of medaling in the next Olympics. For those without a background in track, this means she competes in seven events: the hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 meters, long jump, javelin and the dreaded 800 meters (half a mile). "The 800 meters is nobody's favorite event, so I take the approach: Just run," she said. "I'm not very good at pacing, so I just run the hardest I can the whole time." To list Burrell's impressive athletic achievements, including winning the bronze medal at the World Championships in 2001, would be impractical, as it would fill an entire page. But there is one noticeable achievement still lacking: an Olympic medal. And her time is running out. Though her age could not be confirmed, "That's not pertinent information!" she did admit to attending UCLA and developing a friendship with future SD Charger linebacker Donnie Edwards, which would put her at in her late twenties or early thirties. "26 is fine," she said. Whatever the case, she said she will run competitively for no more than three more years before switching over to coaching. Until then, Burrell won't let anything dissuade her. She has displayed uncanny optimism despite her understanding that there are currently other competitors in the world that are younger, faster and stronger. "God loves an underdog," she said. "That's how He shows his power." Burrell also preaches. She currently visits churches across the country giving a sermon entitled "There are Giants in the Land". Her message is taken from the book of Joshua and is meant to inspire hope in those facing overwhelming odds and gigantic problems. Her Christian life has developed her character and given her a squeaky clean image, and Visa was quick to pick up on it. She will be shown on their commercials endorsing their company during the next Olympics in Greece. You will even be able to buy a Shelia Burrell credit card with her face on it. "I am definitely going to get one," she said. "In fact, I am going to get five." Burrell said she looks forward to her next opportunity to medal in Athens, but also commented on the joy she felt simply being apart of the whole event. She remembers how the opening ceremonies felt last time. "It's awesome. When you get to the world stage, there's something special about being American. Everybody wants to know what you're wearing, what you eat, what you do," she said, "...except the French." She said she loves San Diego and, despite living in many places across the nation, is considering moving here to EastLake permanently. "I love it here. I love the water, I love the palm trees, I love the beach," she said. You can catch Shelia Burrell giving her sermon "There are Giants in the Land," at First Christian Church, 430 Second Ave., Chula Vista, on January 11, from 5:15 to 7 p.m. Call 422-5313 for more information. Contact J.D. Hawk
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