State Champion spotlight: Emily Labbe (Scarborough HS)
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
Leading up to the state meet, I knew every race was going to be very tough, but when the meet was about a week away I really tried to focus on how I wanted to do personally, I went over all the other meets, and thought about when I ran my best and when I didn't, and tried to focus on how I really wanted to run at the state meet.
How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I definitely got very nervous during the state meet, I get nervous before every meet, but walking into the state meet I really just tried to zone everything out and focus on my races. While I was standing at my blocks getting ready to run, I looked right down my lane and made it seem like I was the only one running the race.
The 55m dash was one of the closest finishes in history, It looked like you won the race on the lean. What was the key to your race, and what will you remember most about seeing your name come up first on the results board?
I would say the key to my race was all my coaches and teammates cheering me on, abs talking to me before the race. I got encouraging words from all my coaches, one thing that kept replaying in my head before the race was one word my coach kept telling me all season, "confidence". She said that word to me one more time right before the 55m finals, and I kept thinking about it getting into the blocks. When I saw my name come up first, I was in pure shock, I honestly couldn't believe it, but what I'll remember most was how supportive my teammates were, and their reactions. They were all lined up behind the officials watching as they figured out who won. As we saw my name come up, they ran over to me with a huge group huge, and smiles. What I'll remember most is their reactions, and how they were there to celebrate with me, which meant everything to me.
Where you surprised at the success you has during your freshman year?
This year was very surprising for me. There was so much good competition that pushed me to work harder and harder each day, and because of that it got me to the results I was working for all season.
Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?
My goals for this season were to place in two out of my three events at the state meet, I ended up placing in all three which I was extremely happy seeing all the work I did this season pay off.
How do you think winning an individual state title will effect you heading into outdoors?
Going into outdoor, knowing I have a state title from indoor is going to push me even harder. I'm going to set new goals, and work everyday to achieving those goals. I'm gonna run every race as hard as I can and work towards my goals every race. I'm very excited for outdoor and can't wait to see what it has in store for me, and the whole team!
2016-17 Indoor Performances
