Name: Yahya Hussein
School: Deering High School
What was your most memorable race?
My most memorable race has to be my sophomore year at States. First I overslept and almost missed the bus. I was lucky that the bus was passing by my house and they stopped to pick me up. Second I had a hot dog like 20 minutes before the race and of course my teammates were wondering how I was going to race. I believe I was ranked 24th which was last or second to last and I ended up placing 4th and PRed by 20 seconds. That was just great day.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
My biggest competition would be my own teammate Iid Sheikh-Yusuf who also help me to push myself during practices. The Scarborough duo Colin Tardiff and Jacob Terry who I had fun racing for the past years and I really enjoy running with them. Ryan Cadorette who graduated last year was also one of my biggest competitors.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was winning the 3200M State championship last year. I was 100% healthy and worked so hard and my confidence was high. What made it so great was the people I raced against. They were all so good.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I would have start running earlier instead of my freshman year. I did soccer my freshman year and I remember seeing a cross country race for the first time at soccer practice before one of my track friends convinced me to do it.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Staying healthy. I have been sick this outdoor season for five weeks which stopped me from doing core workouts at home. It was also hard to race, coughing a lot after practices and races.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss all of the great friends I have made for the past years and my competitors and teammates especially Iid Sheikh-Yusuf. I will also miss my coaches, both Myatts who helped me alot.
What advice you would give to younger athletes?
Number one key is to listen to your coach and be patient through your tough times.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
My coach has always told me to have fun before races and made me feel good about myself during my tough times.
What are your college plans?
I’m headed up to University of Southern Maine to run and study.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would first like to thank God for making it happen. I would also like to thank my family, teammates and friends who cheered me up. Special thanks to my amazing coaches Gerry Myatt and Frank Myatt.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Good luck to my teammates and friends next year!!! and yes I have enjoyed being called Iid most of time!
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