Junior Austin Lufkin of Brewer won the Class A state title in the Shot Put with a personal best 54-9 1/2. Lufkin enters the New England competition as the #2 ranked thrower. We caught up with Austin to ask him about his preparation before the meet, his mindset on race day, and about winning the state title.
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
I slowed down my lifting schedule for the week so I'd be fresh for the meet and every throwing practice was just touching up a few things for the meet
How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I didn't really think about it too much and just focused on throwing my best.
You came in the top seed in the shot put, and threw a personal best to win. What was your approach with your first throw, and what clicked during your third round throw that resulted in the win and PB?
My first throw was one of my worst all season so I got a little fired up about that then Matt Brady threw his 51"8 or so to take the lead and I knew I had to answer back.
Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?
I set goals for the whole year so my goal for outdoor is 58, I should be able to achieve it through lifting and a bunch of technique stuff throughout the season.
How do you think winning an individual state title will effect you heading into outdoors?
I think it will give me a lot of confidence but Dan will be back so it will be different not being the 1 seed.
