SHREWSBURY – A Shrewsbury High School student-athlete broke an over 14-year-old school record on May 25, finishing the 800-meter race in 1 minute, 58.13 seconds at the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Division 1 Outdoor Track and Field Championship.
Niko Manolakos’ time beat the previous record, set by Anthony Frissora in 2009, by just over one second.
“I had my eye on the record as soon as the track season started,” Manolakos told the Community Advocate. “Me and the 4×800 [meter] team went over to the record board and were looking at the records to see what we needed. I noticed the 800 time and thought that it was attainable and made it my goal for the rest of the year.”
Relentless practice propelled him toward his goal. Manolakos looked to increase his speed – incorporating lots of hill sprints into his training routine – but also focused on building strength. Every day after track practice, he would head to the weight room with friends for workouts. He was sore practically every day.
“I think that’s what really separated me,” he said.
After dozens of hours of relentless training, Manolakos was well-prepared as race day approached.
“I knew I had a good field around me, and I knew that as long as I stayed with my competition they would pull me along,” he said. “I was pretty confident going in.”
Manolakos stayed with the leading group throughout the race. As he sprinted across the finish line, he glanced at the timer. He knew he had beaten the school record. His record-breaking performance was even more memorable because it happened in the last individual race of his high-school career.
“I let out a little scream because I was so excited, and two teammates came over and gave me hugs,” Manolakos recalled.
His family congratulated him soon after the race.
“It was a great moment… It felt like everything came together in that moment,” he said.
Manolakos will continue his academic and athletic career at Babson College, where he hopes to continue to compete in the 800-meter race.
“I really enjoy the 800 – it’s like my bread and butter. It’s my race. I enjoy it because I get that speed component that I don’t get from the mile, but I also get to use my stamina that I’ve worked so hard on for the past couple of years during the cross country seasons. I just feel like I can go so fast for so long… I have a fun time doing it,” he said.
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