Andrew Toothaker - Hampden Academy
What were your most memorable race? My most memorable race was definitely the 300h at the state meet this year. Before the race someone told me that if one of the Yeboahs doesn't get you, the other one will. Coming around the corner I could feel one of them. He gained the lead and when I realized it I went into "beast mode" and took off. On the last hurdle I almost fell but I still placed first. It was my first state win and the feeling was incredible.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Obtaining the Penobscot Valley Conference Most Valuable Player award.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school? I suppose I would start focusing more on hurdles my freshman year instead of sophomore year. I also would try to lift weights more often in the off-season.
What were the most difficult obstacle you had to overcome? Easily my right leg. In 8th grade I got a grade 3 muscle tear in my quadriceps. This affected me in many ways. The power difference between my legs is pretty noticeable and I still to this day can't do squats without fear of re-tearing it. In a way I felt limited.
What will you miss the most? I'll miss the all the great people I've become friends with through track meets.
What advice you would give to younger athletes? Just going to practice everyday isn't enough. You need to live the lifestyle. Eat healthy, get enough sleep, and always push yourself.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals? My coaches would always talk to me before my big races to keep me level headed. That was a huge help to me.
What are your college plans? I'm going to UMaine as a nursing major. I will be on the track team most likely doing the Decathlon and Heptathlon.
Who would you like to say thank you to? Thank you to my parents for sitting through hours of track meets to watch me run less than a minute. Also thank you to my brother Matthew Toothaker for being an inspiration and a mentor.
Personal Bests
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100 Meter Dash11.74
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110 Meter Hurdles15.25
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200 Meter Dash23.48
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300 Meter Hurdles39.79
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400 Meter Dash52.01
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55 Meter Hurdles7.95
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55 Meter Dash7.10
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800 Meter Run2:05.25
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High Jump5-8
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Javelin118-10
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Long Jump19-7
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Triple Jump39-3.5