Name: Lauren Magnuson
School: South Portland High School
What was your most memorable race?
My most memorable race is running the anchor leg of this years state champion 4x400 team. It was so incredible to be able to run across the line and hug my teammates knowing that we were state champions.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
Alexandra Pettaway, Heather Kendall, Kristin Benson and this year Alexandra Hart. These girls really pushed and motivated me, but are also really great people.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was definitely running under 26 seconds in the 200, and running under a minute in the 400. It was great to finally run times that I knew I was capable of.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
If I could do it all over again, I would have worked harder my freshman and sophomore year. It wasn’t until my junior and senior year that I began to set goals for myself, and focused with my coach to reach those goals.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
My most difficult obstacle was an injury I had to my foot during the 2015 indoor season. It prohibited me from being able to run and train as hard as I wanted to, and also kept me from competing to the extent of what I knew I was capable of.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my team the most next year, along with the friends that I have gained through track. I have grown very close with my teammates; Toia, Phoebe, Brittney, Michelle, Janey, Casey, Callie, and Julianna. It’s hard to say goodbye to such genuine and amazing girls, but I know that they have amazing things yet to achieve. I will also miss my coach Ms. Reardon, who has been my only high school coach. She pushed me to do my absolute best, and believed in me always.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Give 100% of yourself to every practice and every race. Also I would tell younger athletes to set goals for yourself, and work with a coach or another teammate to reach those goals. When you have something to aim for it helps to keep you focused.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
I genuinely believe that I have been blessed with the very best high school track coach possible. Her love for the sport is uncanny, and her enthusiasm every single day at practice made each day fun and exciting. She is the person who taught me to love the sport of track and field. Coach Reardon worked with me after practice in the weight room and always thought one step ahead in terms of training and what she could do to help make me better. Moreover, she truly cared about me, and our relationship is one that I cherish. She constantly goes above and beyond as a coach, and has earned her team nickname of “Mama Bear”. She worked with my off the track as well, and helped me to solidify my collegiate and future plans. Her love for our team is felt each day, and I will truly miss her next year.
What are your college plans?
I will be attending the University of Maine in Orono, where I will be studying Elementary Education.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to say thank you to my teammates and my coaches for pushing me every day. Thank you for all the good times and wonderful memories. I would also like to thank my parents and grandparents, who never missed a meet. Your support was always felt, and I appreciate everything you do for me both on and off the track.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Best of luck to everyone competing next year, and cherish your four years of high school track.
More Coverage
Do you know a class of 2015 track and field or cross country athlete? We'd like to salute them! Have them answer the following questions plus send 2-3 photos (can not be from another website or publication) to dveilleux@milesplit.us