State Champion spotlight: Lauren Stoops Orono HS
Senior Lauren Stoops scored 28 points in the Class B state meet. Stoops won a pair of titles, as she crossed the finish line first in the 55m hurdles, and the 200m race. She also was the runner-up in the 55m. She helped lead her team to the Class B State title. We caught up with Lauren to ask her about her preparation before the meet, her mindset on race day, and about winning 2 individual titles.
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
During the entire season especially leading up to championship meets Mr. Libby is very big on getting good sleep and water, water, water! I made sure to get a good amount of rest the night before, the night before states, I ate a good sized breakfast, and slept on the bus because I didn't compete until 1:30pm.
How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
As the season goes on the less nervous I become mentally. My body is always anxious and wants to GO, GO, GO! But mentally I remind myself that our program is not like any other, and I trust my training, my coach, and my body.
You won the 55m hurdles, then finished 2nd in the 55m before coming back to win the 200m. How did you deal with the 55m hurdles, and 55m race being so close together? And how did you mentally prepare for the 200m, after finishing #2 in the 55m race?
The trials for both races was perfect. I ran the hurdles, threw on my sweatshirt and completed warm up again to make sure that I was hot for the dash. I had time to switch my blocks, shoes, and refocus on the race at hand. The finals was a different story. I ran the hurdles, and they told us that we could go. I congratulated the other runners, went and talked to my coach, and I was off to the starting line for my second race. I threw on my sweatshirt switched in my trainers to only check the time and realize that I was running in less than five minutes. I quickly change into my other spikes, I believe I switched my blocks, and next thing I know the gun is going off. I do think that if I had a little more time that I could have "come down" from the hurdles and mentally prepared for the dash. It was a good race. I know one of my strengths as a sprinter is in the longer races because you get to race your opponents. It's not like the 55m dash where the gun goes off and seven seconds later it's over with. One wrong twitch and your race could be over with the 55m dash, but with the 200m dash you have time to accelerate, float, and explode when you come to the last turn.
Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?
I was very focused on hurdling this season. I believe that I did hurdles every meet and the dash I only competed in three times including state meet. My main goal was to get sub 8.6 seconds for the hurdles, although I didn't achieve that goal I improved my technique and that is something that will help me for this upcoming outdoor season. I did get a new PR in the 200m running against Ashley Anderson during our PVC meet, which was unexpected. As I said before I was very focused on hurdling.
What did it mean to win the first ever state indoor title for Orono?
I am very blessed to be a part of such talented team of young people. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and where one falls someone is there to help pick us up. It was an honor to be a part of the first state indoor title for Orono. We have amazing coaches and great team chemistry. I couldn't think of a better way to end my senior year of indoor track as a Riot, and being part of the team that won the first ever state indoor title.
Stoops's 55m Hurdle Progression
| 55MH |
|---|
| INDOOR | Graph |
|---|
| 2016 | 8.70 |
| 2015 | 8.77 |
Stoops's 200m Progression
| INDOOR | Graph |
|---|
| 2016 | 26.34 |
| 2015 | 26.77 |
2015-2016 Results
