State Champion spotlight: Hany Ramadan Deering
Senior Hany Ramadan capped off his first indoor state meet in record breaking fashion as he took down the Class A state meet record at 400m with his 49.78 winning effort. Ramadan also ran 22.70 to win the Class A title at 200m. We caught up with Hany to ask a few questions about his preparation before the meet, his mindset on meet day, and what he did to recover between his races
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
From day one when our season started I was focused on keeping my thoughts together, thoughts on what I was going to do during training and how I was going to run my races. Before we started the season I sat down with my coach, Frank Myatt, we talked about the seasons goals and how we were going to accomplish them. The training that I did during practice wasn't different from the last years' training. The only thing different was our mindset, we focused more on my weakness and improving my running performance.
How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
Going into the state meet I felt more confident than ever. This was the moment I have been waiting for. I worked hard to get to state. I was confident with my performance throughout the season, going to state was the chance I was dreaming for. I wasn't worried or concerned with who I was running against. I was only focusing on keeping my thoughts together and my ultimate goal was to win all my races. I wanted to earn as many points possible for my team and to represent my school well in the state meet, because we had only seven runners who were competing. I knew the difficulty it is for seven athletes to place in the top five. Our hard work truly shows the possibility that a team with seven athletes is just as capable of being as successful as to a team of 20 or more athletes. We got top three in the state meet, which is a huge achievement. We represented our school well. Our teamwork and encouragement and support for one another was a driving force to our amazing success.
You faced off against the defending champion in the 400m Jake Dixon, can you talk about the race and how you were able to come from behind to break the state record?
My 400m was a very good race and overall I liked my performance. I broke the state record, which was a goal of mine before setting foot on the track. Coming into the State Meet, I was aware of my opponents. I knew there was going to be the presence of great athletes, but I had a goal, and my goal was to win and I had been waiting and preparing tremendously for that moment. Before stepping onto the track, Coach, Myatt said to me "Hany, there are a lot good guys out there and you know what you have to do". He was right, I knew exactly what to do when the gunshot fired and the race began. It was my first time running at an indoor state meet. My coach told to stay relaxed and run my best. I heard so many great things about Jake Dixon, and knew that running against him would be a a great challenge that I would encounter. I was just glad that I was running with an athlete like Dixon, I knew he would push me to my limit. He would make me run my hardest. I expected him to go hard in the first 200m, so I was relaxed and ran a smooth run with him but, after crossing the first 200m I had to step my game up a notch. All my hard work paid off. I was able to accomplish my goal of winning and breaking the state record.
After winning the 400m and setting the state record what did you do for recovery in between before running the 200m?
After winning the 400m my legs were very sore and my hamstrings were tight, but that didn't affect me at all because my mind was telling me that " you can do it Hany, just relax and stay focused". I warmed up, stretched and rolled my hamstring with the foam roller a couple of times.
You also won the 200m in a personal best time, can you talk about how Jake Dixon pushed you in that race?
For that 200m I was very hungry for that victory. When I stepped back into the blocks I felt more ready than ever. When the gun went off Dixon had a better start so he started to pull away from me fast, but I was able to get him back in the last 100m because I had a strong finish. Before the state meet I practiced my starting blocks with Matt Kimball who used to run the 55 meters for Deering before he graduated. Working on my starting blocks helped me improve my time in the 200m.
Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?
Coming into the season I really wanted to PR in all my races and win every single race. My goal was to break the 400m record and earn more points for my team so they can place at the state meet. I achieved my goal, and I was very happy with that.
How do you think winning two individual state titles will effect you heading into outdoors?
Winning two individual state titles gives me more confidence and it tells me that all the hard work and training I have been putting on is starting to pay off. Heading into outdoor season is going to be an amazing season. I am blessed to have an amazing coach who is always there to encourage me and sees the best in me. I'm extremely excited for the upcoming season. I am anxious, I see more great opportunities ahead in the upcoming season.
Hany's 400m Progression
- 2015 Indoor 49.78
- 2014 Indoor 50.59
Hany's 200m Progression
- 2015 Indoor 22.70
- 2014 Indoor 23.35
2014-15 Results
| 22.70 | 1st | 2015-02-16 | Class A Indoor State Championship | » | |
| 22.85 | 1st | 2015-02-07 | SMAA Southwesterns Championships | » | |
| 23.10 | 1st | 2015-01-03 | SMAA: Deering, Gorham, Portland & TA | » | |
| 23.33 | 1st | 2014-12-13 | SMAA: Deering, Massabesic, Noble, South Portland |
400m
| 49.78 | 1st | 2015-02-16 | Class A Indoor State Championship | » | |
| 51.75 | 1st | 2014-12-13 | SMAA: Deering, Massabesic, Noble, South Portland |
