State Champion spotlight: Heather Kendall Lewiston
Senior Heather Kendall had an outstanding state meet as she captured individual titles in the 55m & 200m, and added the third title in the 4x200, relay. She was the main reason the Blue Devils finished as the state runner-up, the best finish in school history. We caught up with Heather to ask a few questions about her preparation before the meet, her mindset on meet day, and what it meant to finish as the state runner-ups.
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
My preparations leading up to the state meet were just the same everyday practices and positive thoughts to this upcoming meet.
How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
When competing at more high stake meets such as KVAC or state meets I deal with pressure and emotions be relying on my teammates for confidence and comfort who have always been there to support me in all my races along with my friends and family.
After you crossed the line first in the 55m dash what were your immediate thoughts? Did winning the 55m relax you for the 200m? What did it mean to win 2 individual state titles, and a relay leading your team to a runner-up finish the best in school history?
At first when I crossed the finish line I was overwhelmed that I had just won the 55 dash since I have struggled with block starts in the past and since my trial 55 was a close call, winning the 55 did relax me for the 200 at first but in end the before every race not matter what I get nervous and hope for the best, winning two state titles has been the best feeling though at first it didn't hit me that I had just won states it just did not seem real and with my relay we ended up scrambling right before the race due to a unfortunate injury from our second leg Jenny Martin but as always we just went out their ran our race and ended up first we have all worked so hard and really wanted to prove to everyone in the state that Lewiston is a proud and strong team. It was amazing to see how our girls team who slowly climbed to the top got runner up in states it was a very proud moment
Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?
Coming into the season my goals were to keep and break some more school records and hopefully make a name for Lewiston Track I was able to achieve my goals with different training routines in which our new coach helped the team with.
How do you think winning two individual state title will effect you heading into outdoors?
I believe winning to state titles will definitely add some more pressure and competition for outdoors but will help me worked and train harder with a new goal in mind.
What was it like transitioning to a new coach in your senior year?
Transitioning to a new coach in my senior year was a little nerve racking though I had to expereince a new coach in soccer as well and from loving and appreciating the new soccer coach gave me a sort of high hope for the new track coach. The new transition to Coach Soracco ended up being a great a new experience with different training routines and becoming a great supporter and influential coach to everyone on the team. It is very upsetting to me that I will only have the pleasure of working with my new coach staff of Coach Kim, Coach Carolyn Court, Coach Jane, Coach Sinclair and Coach Soracco.
I would also just like to mention that going into my state track meet I dedicated my races and performances to Raymond Cook who had recently passed away from cancer just days before the state meet. Mr. Cook was my boyfriend's father, he was a great man making a difference in the world, being a kind, helpful, and caring man to everyone he met. On my way to states I vowed and dedicated that today's race will be for him.
Kendall's 55m Progression
- 2015 Indoor 7.36
- 2014 Indoor 7.63
Kendall's 200m Progression
- 2015 Indoor 26.37
- 2014 Indoor 27.42
2014-15 Results
200m
| 26.37 | 1st | 2015-02-16 | Class A Indoor State Championship | » | |
| 26.68 | 1st | 2015-02-07 | KVAC Championship | » | |
| 27.10 | 1st | 2015-01-24 | KVAC Colby meet #3 | » | |
| 27.34 | 2nd | 2015-01-17 | KVAC Colby Meet #2 | » | |
| 27.24 | 1st | 2015-01-02 | KVAC Indoor Track & Field League Meet # 4 |
55m
| 55 Meter Dash (Graph) | 7.36 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.58 | 15th | Prelims | 2015-02-27 | 28th New England Indoor Track & Field Championships | » |
| 7.42 | 1st | Prelims | 2015-02-16 | Class A Indoor State Championship | » |
| 7.36 | 1st | 2015-02-16 | Class A Indoor State Championship | » | |
| 7.60 | 2nd | Prelims | 2015-02-07 | KVAC Championship | » |
| 7.52 | 2nd | 2015-02-07 | KVAC Championship | » | |
| 7.73 | 1st | 2015-01-24 | KVAC Colby meet #3 | » | |
| 7.63 | 1st | 2014-12-29 | KVAC Indoor Track & Field League Meet # 2 | » | |
| 7.60 | 1st | Prelims | 2014-12-27 | USM Relays | » |
| 7.51 | 1st | 2014-12-27 | USM Relays | » | |