State Champion spotlight: Colt Santoro York
Junior Colt Santoro captured the Class B 55m hurdle final with a personal best 8.04 clocking, his 10 points helped the York Wildcats win the state title. We caught up with Colt to ask a few questions about his preparation before the meet, his mindset on meet day, and what it meant to win the state title.
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
My preparations leading into the state meet were pretty much self-explanatory. Practice everyday, stretch more than actually going over the hurdles, and staying focused.
How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I had no pressure during the meet. Since I've been to states last year, I knew the track well. I just went with whatever happens. Win or lose, it was a fun experience
In the final you ran the fastest 55m hurdle time of your life, how did you prepare for the final after the trials, and what was the feeling when you crossed the line first?
After I came in first during the trials, I knew I could possibly win the state title. I prepared by changing nothing about myself. Same mindset, same form, same emotions. When I crossed the finish line, I realized I was the new state champion. It just felt like any other meet, actually.
You were able to help your team to the state title, what was the experience like hoisting the trophy at the end of the meet?
Holding the trophy was a cool experience. I've done it before so it was not much of a surprise for me.
Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?
Coming into the season, I had no goals. Whether or not I did good this year was determined by whatever happens. After coming in first for the first couple of USM meets, I realized I'd have a little bit of a chance for the state title. My football coach Randy Small taught everyone discipline, and to never give up. I carried that mindset into track, and came back with a gold medal.
Santoro's Hurdle Progression
- 2015 Indoor 8.04
- 2014 Indoor 8.62
2014-15 Results
| 8.23 | 21st | Prelims | 2015-02-27 | 28th New England Indoor Track & Field Championships | |
| 8.26 | 2nd | Prelims | 2015-02-16 | Class B Indoor State Championship | |
| 8.04 | 1st | 2015-02-16 | Class B Indoor State Championship | ||
| 8.31 | 1st | Prelims | 2015-02-06 | WMC Championship | |
| 8.25 | 1st | 2015-02-06 | WMC Championship | ||
| 8.31 | 1st | 2015-01-23 | WMC: CE, GNG, Freeport, Falm, LR, Traip,York, St. Dom's | ||
| 8.30 | 1st | 2015-01-16 | WMC: Cape, LR, Freeport, Yarmouth, GNG, York, Greely, St Dom's | ||
| 8.36 | 2nd | 2015-01-09 | WMC: Traip, York, Falm, YARM, GNG,PRHS,SV | ||
| 8.19 | 1st | 2015-01-02 | WMC: Fal, Traip, York, Frye, Freept, Cape, Greely |