State Champion spotlight: Anna Slager Gorham HS

State Champion spotlight: Anna Slager Gorham HS

Slager a sophomore from Gorham won the Class A mile & 2 mile state titles. Anna easily won the mile by 10 seconds before using her strong kick to win the 2 mile as well. We caught up with her to ask about her preparation, her decisive moves in the races, and what will be her focus this spring.

What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?

In preparation for the state meet I went on a few short runs and some light speed work. 

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

I listened to music and tried to remain calm and focused. Talking with my teammates, coaches, and parents helped.

You won the mile & 2 mile state titles, and made decisive moves in each that broke the race open. Was it your plan to make one move to break the field in each race? What did it mean to win both races?

In the mile I just wanted to run a decent time, and in the 2 mile I wanted to hang with the leader until the final few laps. To win both races meant a lot to me, but it also reminds me that there are bigger and better people out there and I need to keep training hard. 

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

I wanted to stay healthy and run fastest enough to put me in good shape for outdoor, and I think I achieved my goals. 

You have a total of 3 individual state titles now, the 2 indoor titles plus the 1600m for outdoor. What are your goals for the outdoor season? Will you go for the 1600-3200 double in the spring?

Unfortunately, during a game of ultimate frisbee I tore my ACL, and will not be competing during the outdoor season. Nevertheless my goal for outdoor is to remain as physically fit as I can and hopefully be running again by the time outdoor ends. 

Slager's Mile Progression

Slager's 2 Mile Progression

2015-16 Results