Salute to Seniors: Lindsey Folsom (Cony HS)

Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most? Personally I think my biggest high school accomplishment was breaking the KVAC record. At the time I felt frustrated with the heights I had achieved during the season. That meet was a breakthrough for me. I had finally put the pieces of the vault I had been working on together. That win put me in a great mindset heading into the state meet.

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school? If I could do it over again I don't think there would be anything I would change. I'm happy with what I have accomplished and have had a blast doing it. If anything I just wish I had met my coach Peter sooner in my high school career.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome? For me the biggest obstacle was trying to find a place to practice vaulting. During the outdoor season it wasn't a big deal but during the indoor season the only place we had was our gym. I was fortunate enough to have an above ground runway but I was never able to get all my steps in which didn't allow me to get on any of my bigger poles.

What will you miss the most? I think next year what I'm going to miss the most is the support I get from everyone. At most of the track meets I go to a majority of the people know who I am or know what I do. It's going to be a huge adjustment next year when nobody knows who I am.

What advice you would give to younger athletes? The biggest advice I could give to younger athletes would be that success takes time. Those who put the most time into their work achieve the most success.

What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?  My coach, Peter, has played a larger roll in my high school performance than he is probably even aware of. The level of dedication he has to helping me improve is incredible. I'm not always the easiest person to coach. I get really frustrated when I'm not performing as well as I would like to. Peter has always been able to calm me down and get me refocused. As for life goals, my coach has made me realize that nothing is out of reach. With a lot of dedication anything is possible. I'm truly blessed to have had him coach me.

What are your college plans? Next year I am attending the University of Rhode Island where I will major in Nursing. I will also be pole vaulting for the track team.

Who would you like to say thank you to? First and foremost I would like to thank my parents. They have sacrificed a lot to allow me to pursue pole vaulting. I'm very grateful for all the support I have received from them throughout high school. Not just in track but in every aspect of my life. Next I would like to thank Taylor Harmon for introducing me to pole vaulting and for coaching me through a majority of my childhood. Finally, I would like to thank my coach Peter. Without him I would have been an average vaulter. Thanks to his knowledge and love for the event he was able to bring me to the next level.