State Champion spotlight: Tahlia Mullen Lincoln Academy
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
Some of my preparations leading up were doing pyramids in practice. We would start start with sprints, build up to longer distances, and go back down to sprints again. This type practice was really important for me because on top of the 400, I had to be strong for the 200 which was not very long after.
How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I dealt with the pressure and emotions by hanging out and talking with my friends a lot during the meet. I love that track is such a social sport. Everyone is anxious for their own events but we all try to reassure each other for theirs.
You were the top seed in the 400m, and easily won the race as a sophomore. What was going through your mind as you were coming down the homestretch, and crossed the line first?
I feel really lucky I was able to do so well this early. I'm actually young for my grade, I'm still only 14, the age of a freshman, which makes me feel even luckier. One of the main things going through my mind by the end of the race was how glad I was I ran the first lap smart. My initial strategy was to be in from by the time we cut in which, if you watched the race, you know wasn't what happened. I just told myself to stay calm and to not be influenced by anyone else's run. I think that's how I ended up winning.
Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?
State champion was definitely one of my goals, but I definitely didn't think that goal as reasonable when I first made it. One of my strategies for achieving that goal was to always check who was running in my heats ahead of time. If there was someone seated above of me, I would tell myself to try to keep with them. Not only do I think that made me a better runner physically, but I also think it boosted my confidence because I ended up being faster than more people than I thought.
How do you think winning an individual state title will effect you heading into outdoors?
Winning the state title definitely boosts my confidence. I'm already capable of much more than I thought which makes me want to work harder than ever.
2015-16 Results
| 2016 | SEASON | EVENT | MEET | DATE | PLACE | ROUND | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:41.61 | Indoor | 600m | 29th New England Indoor Track & Field Championships | 19th | Finals | > | ||
| 27.62 | Indoor | 200m | Class B Indoor State Championship | 4th | Finals | > | ||
| 1:01.03 | Indoor | 400m | Class B Indoor State Championship | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 27.42 | Indoor | 200m | KVAC Championship | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 1:02.76 | Indoor | 400m | KVAC Championship | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 1:00.54 | Indoor | 400m | KVAC:Mess,Wtv,Ersk,MCI,Law,Cony,Nok,LA | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 2:36.57 | Indoor | 800m | KVAC:Mess,EL,Brun,Wtv,Erk,MCI,Law,Win,Mt B, OH, Morse | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 27.74 | Indoor | 200m | KVAC:Belfast,Bruns,Cony,Erskine,LA,Lewiston,MTA,Winslow | 2nd | Finals | > | ||
| 1:01.89 | Indoor | 400m | KVAC:Belfast,Bruns,Cony,Erskine,LA,Lewiston,MTA,Winslow | 2nd | Finals | > | ||
| 1:03.90 | Indoor | 400m | KVAC:EL,Erskine,Lawrence,MCI,LA,Mess,Oceanside, CH, Skowhegan | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 2015 | SEASON | EVENT | MEET | DATE | PLACE | ROUND | ||
| 2:33.41 | Indoor | 800m | KVAC:Lew,Mess,Bruns,Bel, Mt A,Erk, Mt B,Cony, Mor,CH @ Bowdoin | 2nd | Finals | > | ||
| 29.28 | Indoor | 200m | KVAC: Skow, EL, Law, Win, OHS, Gard, Nok, MCI @ Colby | 5th | Finals | > | ||
| 1:04.71 | Indoor | 400m | KVAC: Skow, EL, Law, Win, OHS, Gard, Nok, MCI @ Colby | 1st | Finals | > | ||
