Ryan Jamison - Scarborough HS
What was your most memorable races? Among all the races I have ran in my career, three stand out. The 4x2 in the indoor state meet my junior year was one of the most exciting races I have seen. We needed to win that race in order to win the state championship and we did, winning by .01 seconds. The other two races were the 100 and 200 in this year's outdoor meet which I placed first in.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most? I would have to say being the 100 and 200 meter champion in my final season. I have put in so much work and it was the greatest feeling to finally be on top.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school? One thing that I really struggled with was my flexibility. If I was to do it again I would have incorporated more stretching into my routine. That way, some of the hamstring issues I struggled with could have been non-existent.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
When I was a sophomore, I suffered a really bad concussion that kept me out of sports for basically the entire year. It affected every aspect of my life and ended my football and baseball career. My training for track that year was extremely limited and i was unable to run in the conference and state championships. I felt like I was not only letting myself down, but also my team. It was a very long, delicate recovery but luckily I had my family, friends and coaches to help me along the way. When I was able to train again, I became much more serious and committed to track. I used every ounce of frustration and anger I had towards my injury and turned it into a positive result. Whether it was late night hills or repeat 300s in the heat, I always used my injury as motivation because you truly don't know what tomorrow will bring.
What will you miss the most?
The thing I will miss the most is seeing my teammates everyday. We were more like a family than a team and we grew so close by the end of outdoor. I truly believe that the chemistry we had is what made us so successful. We wanted to win for each other and we pushed each other past barriers that we never thought we'd overcome. Spending time with these guys everyday is what made me truly love track.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
My advice would be to always believe in yourself and to never stop striving to become better. If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will. You have to stay positive even when it seems impossible. Also, you can't be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone. Greatness will only come to those willing to break from the norm. Never set limits for yourself because you would be surprised just how far you can go.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
My coaches have greatly influenced me, not only in track but in life. Derek Veilleux and Jeff Messer pushed me to a point that I never knew I could reach. They taught me lessons in track that have transferred into my every day life. They taught me to never give up even when that's all you want to do. They taught me that being a good person isn't just about the words you say but the actions you take. If it weren't for my coaches, I never would have reached the point I am at today.
What are your college plans?
Next year, I am attending the University of Maine and majoring in Microbiology. My ultimate goal is to go to medical school and become a doctor.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to thank my brothers, Derek and Jude Veilleux, Jeff Messer, my entire track family, the friends I made along the way, the Scarborough coaches and anybody that supported me. I'd especially like to thank my Mom and Dad for everything they have done for me and putting up with me throughout the years. I love you guys and words can't express how thankful I am to have such great people in my life.
Personal Bests
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100 Meter Dash 11.01
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200 Meter Dash 22.50
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300 Yard Dash 36.50
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400 Meter Dash 54.04
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55 Meter Dash 6.74
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Long Jump 19-2.5
