Salute to Seniors: Taylor Watson Maranacook HS
What was your most memorable race?
At states 2011, my junior year, the 110 hurdle final got interesting fast. Though I was seeded first, I quickly found myself falling face first on the track surface. In my excitement I had lost focus, and charged to quickly through the fourth hurdle. Though I fell down, I was able to get up and recover 4th place. Since our team needed the points, I spent most of the rest of the day fretting about what kind of impact it may have on the meet. We ended up winning, barely. Since then I've used that fall as inspiration to always get back up.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments which stands out the most?
The team title in 2011. Personal accomplishments are great, but nothing lasts as long or means as much as a team championship.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I would probably have stuck with soccer over cross country in the fall, my body type did horribly for the pounding I took.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Breaking my back junior year was crazy, there was rehab, emotional stuff, lifestyle adjustments, a brace, and then training in the brace and 4am/8PM runs every day, it got crazy and the whole time I wasn't sure if it'd be for naught. Things worked out because I resolved not to lose.
What will you miss the most?
Oh, what a question! I will go with the bus rides to meets and such. The high school athletic camaraderie is rarely higher than it is in transit when you are all dankly pushed together for hours at a time with nothing but music and your friends.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Leave it all on the track every day. You only have so many chances to perform, and the will to win means nothing without the will to prepare, so get going. You can do whatever you feel you can. Winners set goals, not limits.
What advice have your coaches had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
When I was a freshmen seeded 5th in the 300h at the state meet, I had no idea what to expect. My coach told me that day that seed times don't matter, all that matters is who wants it more that day. I'll never forget this lesson, that how good other people are has nothing to do with how well you do.
What are your college plans?
Dartmouth College
Who would you like to say thank you to?
Besides the obvious, I would like to thank all of the coaches and officials who make the atmosphere of track so much nicer and more accepting than other sports.
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