Salute to Seniors: Tyler Fitzgerald (Hall-Dale HS)

What was your most memorable races? I have many memorable races throughout my high school career, all of which are in the 100m. Starting my freshman year, running in the Cony invitational against Cony's Cory Clarke, Luke Dang AND Rick Orio and also Winthrop's Joe Brennan. I looked up to each and every one of them because of how fast they were. Sophomore year my most memorable race was at States. I won with a personal best. I didn't go in expecting to win, I went in just hoping to place, coming out with a win was really unexpected. No matter what class, being a State champ is a very notable event in your career. My junior year I had the state champ pressure over me and once again, the state meet run was the most memorable of that year. Even though losing the title is very disappointing, it was a very good race and I enjoyed all 11.5 seconds of it. My senior year I was out for 3/4 of the season, I was able to run the first meet but was then out until the end of May with a knee injury. That being said, my last 5 races in the 100m (if you count prelims) are the most memorable. Cony invitational against Luke Dang, both setting new personal bests and I re-broke my school record. MVC's and States. Any time you can be a champion it's a very memorable thing. And my last memorable "race" was at States, though it was a jump. My long jump, taking the school record and beating out my seed.

Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most? Out of all my high school accomplishments, being a 3 time state champ and taking two school records are the ones that stand out the most. 

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school? I would definitely be training a lot longer and harder. After setting such extreme goals, I thought as though it would be easy. IT WASN'T. If I wanted it bad enough I should have gotten up got it. I just didn't realize how much I wanted it until the end.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome? I always had problem with self-confidence. I always sold myself short. Once again, the potential people saw in me I didn't see until it was the end.

What will you miss the most? I will miss the shortISH bus rides as opposed to the long ones that will come in college. I will miss being really close with a lot of the runners from my team and opposing teams. Though friends can be made everywhere!

What advice you would give to younger athletes? Take your training seriously right off. Train like you've never trained before and note that anything is possible as long as you set your mind to it. I have a little brother who wanted to sprint at first but instead changed his mind and is now switching to distance. I can't stress to him enough how important training is and that if he wants something he needs to go and get it. I would recommend that SAME advice to any younger athlete.

What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?  Coach Jarod Richmond, has had the greatest influence on me. Whether it be the corny motivational speeches he would give before every track meet or being at the finish line ready to give me a hug and tell me how proud he was. He's one of the most inspirational people I know to date and I'm extremely happy I could call him MY coach. 

What are your college plans? I will be attending the University of Maine at Orono, studying Kinesiology and Physical Education and hopefully running the 100m and jumping long jump for them in the spring.

Who would you like to say thank you to? I would like to thank my coaches, friends and family. As cliche as it sounds, each and every one of them has been there for me throughout the process. I wouldn't have been able to have such a wonderful high school track career without them.