By Ryan Massad, Contributing Writer
Sport: Track
School: Marlborough High School
Coach: Jim Rennie
Class: Junior
Events: Dash and high jump
What made you want to take up track in high school?
“I’ve always known I was fast. As a kid during little league, I would just always outrun everyone. I knew that I was fast, but never knew about track until eighth grade, and that’s when I saw the potential I had. High jump was a late discovery. I just thought it looked cool at the tryout, so I gave it a go, and my coach immediately pulled me aside and said ‘I want you to train for this – you could be great.’”
To what do you attribute your success in track?
“I attribute all my success in track to my coaches and parents. My coaches never let me dog it. They always push me hard, and I push myself even harder, because I know someone is out there working just as hard as I am. My parents have always told me that nothing is impossible with the right motivation, but it’s up to me to find that motivation to succeed. My parents have always supported me, and it really helps knowing that you’re being supported by such great parents and mentors.”
What has been your single most-special experience during a track event?
“My most special experience was making it to states my freshman year. It was pretty surreal. Everyone was so big, and good, and fast, and I felt like a kid at a new school. It was a good experience, and watching all those athletes perform at such a high level really blew me away, and made me want to be there every year.”
Have you begun considering any colleges, and would you like to participate in track at that level?
“I’ve considered a few colleges, but for now, I’m focused on track and my grades. Without those, there is no college. I would love to do track in college. It’s been a goal of mine since I started. Track is just a way for me to escape and I love doing it.”
What are your hobbies outside of track?
“Outside of track, I’m pretty laid back. On the track, I might be competitive and loud, but when I’m home, or at school, I really try to keep to myself mostly. I don’t involve myself too much with drama or anything like that. I just do me.”
What is your favorite type of music, and artist in that genre?
“I’m a fan of rap. I like J. Cole, Drake, Chris Brown, and Eminem. Those are my go-to guys.”
What is your favorite class in school, and why?
“My favorite class in school would have to be history. It just clicks with me. I love learning about the past and how it affects the now, and the future. It’s just really interesting.”
What kind of legacy would you like to leave behind at Marlborough High School?
“I would like to leave a legacy of hard work and preparation, both physically and mentally. I want my name on the record board for anything I can get it up there for, and I want it to be up there for a long time. When I graduate, I want coaches to talk about me, and say how great I was, and how hard I worked. A lot of the reason I want to be great is because I hear of those who were great before me, and I want to be better than them.”