Salute to Seniors: Julian Nijkamp (Gorham HS)

Julian Nijkamp - Gorham HS

 

 What was your most memorable race? I will never forget crossing the finish line at the indoor state championship this past
winter in the 55 hurdles. As many of you probably have heard, I had a very rough year dealing with medical issues and I had only run one hurdle race previous to the state meet. I crossed the line in 7.96 which my PR coming into that meet was an 8.20. And for a 55m race that is a huge PR. It was very close and I honestly didn't know who had won as second place ran a 7.97. My coach and I were in shock and it really didn't hit me that I won untill about a day later. It is a moment in my life I will never forget.

Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most? I would have to say becoming a two time state champion and representing my school the way I did. I am well known by the faculty at GHS and everyone was very proud of me.

If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your running career in high school? I never really took running seriously until my sophmore year when I tied the junior hurdle expo record in the 45 hurdles. I got a taste of victory that day and realized my potential in the years of track to come. So basically if I could change one thing it would be to do my best each and every day that I had the oppurtunity to and to just have fun with the sport. I always was so worked up with every race I have ever run in high school.


Most difficult obstacle to overcome? Well thats a pretty easy one for me. Last year at the start of the spring track season I was all of a sudden diagnosed with a very rare kidney disease called nephrotiic syndrome mpgn type 2 which statistically only 3 out of a million people get.  Guess i'm a pretty special person right? haha. I was healthy as a horse and woke up with swollen ankles one morning.  I was on a ton of meds during the spring and all of summer which made it impossible to even come close to runnning the times i was putting up the year before. This was very tough for me to wrap my head around. Knowing that a medical condition is preventing you from competeing is very discouraging and very tough to deal with mentally. Junior year is a big year for all athletes, but there was nothing I could do about it so all I could was stay positive even though it seemed impossible. At the start of the school year that fall I knew it was going to be a rough one. I made a decision to run indoor ( which I almost didn't ). I was in the gym for about two months prior to the season to try and prepare myself as much as I could so I would be able to run that winter, and i'd say I had a pretty good season! Since about September I have been going into Maine Med to recieve an IV infusion and still continue to do so. From a medical stand point the treatment is working great and I am doing much, much better and things are only looking up from here! I like to call this period in my life " getting over the hurdle " which I have with a lot of hard work and love and support from my family, friends, teammates and my coach of course. I couldn't be more thankful.

What will you miss the most? I'll miss it all to be honest. I love the sport of track and field and I always will. It has taught me so many things in life so far. Even though track is kind of an individual sport, it is very much a team sport as well.I wish the best of luck to my team in the years to come and I have faith they will do very well.

What is your advice to give to younger athletes?
Never give up on your dreams. If you set your mind to something, its possible. Also don't under estimate yourself in track. I honestly never would have thought I would be where I am today my freshman year.
 
What influence has your coach had on you?
Coach Tanguay has been great. I am very thankful to have had one of the best coaches in the state. He is very dedicated to the sport and only wants the best for his athletes. He has taught me a lot and I credit him for all of my accomplishments. There is no way I could have done it without his coaching and support. He has believed in me since day one and I thank him for that. I remeber he told me that I could break 15 in the 110 hurdles this spring and honestly i thought there was no way I was going to run that fast of a time before the season is over, And I did at the southwestern meet with a time of 14.89. I think he sees my potential way before I do. I'm glad he has pushed me to reach my goals in track.
 
What are your college plans?
This was a hard decision but I decided to take a little break from running and attend SMCC in the fall to study criminal justice and then follow up with my degree and possibly study business most likely at USM and to also run for them! I have been running since the 6th grade and decided its time for a break.

Who would you like to say thank you to? People I would like to thank would be my family, friends, parents, coach Tanguay, and everyone who has supported me and continues to do so! I have come a long way and it wouldn't of been possible without them!
 
 
<p> <span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif;">Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series? Drop me a line: Dveilleux@milesplit.us and answer the questions above! And if you can, point us to a pic or two or include them with your email. Make sure you have the right to use it, please. </span></span></p>