State Champion spotlight: Alyssa Coyne Greely

State Champions Spotlight
Derek Veilleux



State Champion spotlight: Alyssa Coyne Greely HS

    Greely senior Alyssa Coyne showed tremendous courage as she competed in the Class B state meet with a torn ACL, the defending champion wasn't to be denied as she won the event with a throw of 38-1. We caught up with her to ask about her meet preparation, how she dealt with the pain, and about her plans for next year.



What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?

With tearing my ACL my preparations for this state meet were much different than how I normally prepare....before states with the exception of one day, I hadn't practiced let alone touch a shot put for a little over a month. My preparations for the indoor state meet this year consisted of prehab exercises for my knee and getting my leg ready for surgery that following Tuesday.


How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?

I've competed in every state meet since Freshman year and have learned to cope well with the "pressure" so I wasn't really effected by it, and being seeded first even though I was injured was still confidence enhancing. Emotionally I was a little nervous and hesitant because of the injury but at the same time I went in feeling confident and trusting of my training and body, I felt very full of energy.


You competed in the shot put at the state meet with a torn ACL. How were you able to endure the pain, and still be able to put out a winning effort?

Yes I competed with a torn ACL but with the adrenaline I didn't really feel much pain at all...I biked for 15 minutes and did some stretches before getting my knee taped under my brace, my knee was extra supported by the tape job and the brace, I was able to win because even though I was a little nervous I had positive self talk and just kept reminding myself how hard I've worked and how badly I wanted to be at the top of the podium one last time.


Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?

Coming into the season my end of the season goal was to hit 41' and unfortunately I wasn't able to reach that goal. My smaller goal was to be proud of the effort I made each meet and walk out with confidence and my head held high despite the outcome and I thought I did a decent job reaching that goal.


How disappointed are you that you have to miss your final HS season of competition? What are you plans for next year?

I'm obviously extremely disappointed I won't be able to see through the remainder of my high school track career but at the same time I'm very grateful for the occurrence of this injury. As crazy as that may sound it's honest, this injury brought some important lessons with it. The first lesson being that you have to work hard, be appreciative, and try to be happy with the results you put out because you never know when it'll be your last meet. The second and more important lesson that I'm glad I learned now rather than later is that you're not gonna be an athlete forever...since Freshman year tracks been my life, how I primarily identify myself is as a track athlete...this injury and missing my outdoor season has taught me to work hard in other areas in my life and find other passions and things I can be good at and strive for success in. My plan next year is to attend USM and continue my track career under the coaching of Greely legend Becky O' Brien and come back better than ever...at this point my hunger for success is greater than its ever been.



Coyne's Shot Put Progression

INDOOR Graph
201640-3
201540-0.75
201437-3
201331-9.75
201222-0


2015-16 Results

2016SEASONEVENTMEETDATEPLACEROUND
38-1IndoorSClass B Indoor State Championship1stFinals>
2015SEASONEVENTMEETDATEPLACEROUND
15-8.75IndoorLJUSM Relays2ndFinals>
9-0IndoorPVUSM Relays3rdFinals>
36-3IndoorSUSM Relays2ndFinals>
40-3IndoorSBowdoin Relays1stFinals>
37-5.5IndoorSWMC: Falmouth, Traip, York, Fryeburg, Freeport, Cape, Greely1stFinals>