Athlete Name: Ben Trapani
School: Camden Hills HS
Year of Graduation: 2014
2012 State Meet Finish: 3rd Class B 16:36 
Best time in a 5K race and in which meet:
16:41, Festival of Champions 2012
Tell us how your summer training is going?:
My summer training has been going pretty well. I have been doing easy mileage for most of the summer, gradually increasing the mileage each week.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?:
I want to break 16:00 in the 5k this year, hopefully at the state meet.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?:
I have been running for four years. I started running when I didn't make the varsity soccer team in middle school and decided to go out for cross country. I liked cross country a lot. The team, the coach, and the whole program were all great. I especially liked racing.
Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?:
I might be competing outside of Maine this year, hopefully in Boston, Massachusetts for New England's.
What is the toughest course to run in Maine?:
In my opinion, the toughest course to run in Maine is the Cony cross country course. It has many small, steep hills which tire your legs quickly and make pacing a challenge.
What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?:
During the regular season, I put extra emphasis on the races held at flat, fast courses in the hopes of getting personal bests.
What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?:
My favorite cross country race was the first race in which I was able to kick, break 18:00 in the 5k, and win a race. The race was a regular season meet held at Belfast.
Favorite cross country memory?:
My favorite cross country memory was the 2012 KVAC cross country championship. I didn't feel that good physically going into the race, but I went in to the race with the perfect mindset, thinking that if someone was going to beat me, they would have to do it over my passed out body. I kept thinking that throughout the race and pushed myself harder than I ever have. I wish I could go into every race with that same mentality.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?:
When I am not running, my favorite thing to do is to listen to music. I like to listen to all kinds of music, especially rock, rap, and electronic music.
Favorite quote?:
My favorite quote is the following: Anything you want in this world can be obtained with a harder/smarter work ethic. Whether you have the natural talent or not, any dream can always become a reality. -Chris Carrington
What shoes do you train in?:
For the past year, I have trained in Nike Free Runs, which force you to run with correct form. Running in the Free Runs makes transitioning into racing spikes much easier.
What professional athlete would you most like to meet?:
I would like to meet Steve Prefontaine. His work ethic was incredible. Despite his lack of natural athletic ability, he managed to become one of the fastest runners in the world. His personality seemed similar but different in many ways from those of most runners. He breathed life into the sport of running.
What is something that most people don't know about you?