State Champion spotlight: Sam Rusak Scarborough HS
Junior Sam Rusak of Scarborough won the high jump & pole vault state titles at the Class A State meet. Rusak jumped 6-2 to take the HJ, & 15-6 in the vault. He went on to finish 12th in the vault at NB Nationals. We caught up with him to ask about his preparations, his goals, and about winning 2 events.
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
My preparations leading up to the state meet included eating healthy, working with my coaches to perfect my technique, staying well rested, and well hydrated.
How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
How I dealt with the pressure and emotions during the state meet was to stay focused on myself and the events I was in. In between events I left the track area so I could just relax before I competed.
You started the meet off by winning the high jump. What did it mean to win that first individual state title?
Winning my first individual state championship in the high jump really got me pumped for the rest of the meet. I wasn't seeded to win, so it was very exciting to know that I could perform at that level.
In the pole vault you didn't start vaulting until 14-6, where only one other competitor was left. Talk about the choice to open at 14-6 in the vault, and what did you think when you missed your first attempt?
In warm-ups I threw a bungee up at 15' so I had something to shoot for. On my last warm up jump, I cleared the bungee so it gave my coach and I confidence that I could start in the mid 14's no problem. When I missed my first attempt I wasn't nervous, because I was feeling great and was ready to go to a bigger pole after my first jump. And from there I knew I could do it.
Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?
Coming into the season I had a few goals in mind. First I wanted to win my first individual state championship in the vault. Next was to get hold of the team state championship after last years second place loss. Then after the first meet I cleared a PR of 6'2 in the high jump, I started having the goal of winning high jump in the back of my mind.
You struggled at the indoor state meet a year ago, what did you do differently to prepare this year?
The struggle last year in the vault really got me mentally and physically hungry for this year. I quit cross country and focused on lifting and getting faster, I got on a diet to help me drop body fat, and I came into each competition mentally ready for what I was about to do. I had confidence in myself and I knew what I was capable of doing.
Rusak's High Jump Progression
| INDOOR | Graph |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 6-3 |
| 2015 | 6-0 |
| 2014 | 5-10 |
| 2013 | 5-4 |
Rusak's Pole Vault Progression
| INDOOR | Graph |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 15-9 |
| 2015 | 14-9 |
| 2014 | 12-11 |
2015-16 Results
| 2016 | SEASON | EVENT | MEET | DATE | PLACE | ROUND | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-8 | Indoor | HJ | SMAA: Gorham - TA - Cheverus - Scarborough | 2nd | Finals | > | ||
| 5-10 | Indoor | HJ | Dartmouth Relays | 8th | Finals | > | ||
| 6-0 | Indoor | HJ | SMAA Southwesterns Championships | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 6-2 | Indoor | HJ | SMAA: Noble - Portland - Scarborough | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 6-2 | Indoor | HJ | USM Relays | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 6-2 | Indoor | HJ | Class A Indoor State Championship | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 6-3 | Indoor | HJ | 29th New England Indoor Track & Field Championships | 10th | Finals | > | ||
| 2016 | SEASON | EVENT | MEET | DATE | PLACE | ROUND | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-0 | Indoor | PV | SMAA: Gorham - TA - Cheverus - Scarborough | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 13-6 | Indoor | PV | Dartmouth Relays | 5th | Finals | > | ||
| 14-3 | Indoor | PV | SMAA:Deering - Windham - Scarborough - McAuley | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 14-5.25 | Indoor | PV | USATF New England Indoor Championship | 5th | Finals | > | ||
| 15-0 | Indoor | PV | SMAA:Last Chance | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 15-3.5 | Indoor | PV | New Balance Nationals Indoor | 12th | Finals | > | ||
| 15-6 | Indoor | PV | Class A Indoor State Championship | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 15-9 | Indoor | PV | SMAA Southwesterns Championships | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 2016 | SEASON | EVENT | MEET | DATE | PLACE | ROUND | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52.11 | Indoor | 400m | SMAA:Deering - Windham - Scarborough - McAuley | 2nd | Finals | > | ||
| 52.30 | Indoor | 400m | Class A Indoor State Championship | 6th | Finals | > | ||
| 53.03 | Indoor | 400m | SMAA:South Portland,Bonny Eagle,Massasbesic,Scarborough, McAule | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 53.80 | Indoor | 400m | SMAA Southwesterns Championships | 5th | Finals | > | ||
