State Champion spotlight: Paul Casavant (Hampden Academy)
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
Leading up to the state meet I was just starting my taper, so I cut back mileage a bit. I also added in short speed to sharpen up a little.
How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I love competing, especially when I get to run against the guys from other conferences, so I wasn't feeling much nerves at all.
You dominated the 2 mile at the Class A state meet for the second year in a row. Did you run as fast as you had hoped?
I was a bit nervous about Cam and his killer kick, but I was mostly just looking forward to running with a different group in a different place. I did run as fast as I was hoping for that meet and I just barely qualified for the 5k at nationals. Unfortunately, the 5k was full when I signed up, so I ended up running the 2 mile, but I was still pleased with my time.
How do you push yourself when you are all alone?
When I'm running alone I usually tell myself to stay focused each lap. In the middle laps its easy to lose focus and drop pace subconsciously, so I always try to stay aware of my pace, especially in the third 800.
Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?
I was hoping to run the 5k at nationals and set another pr in the 2 mile. I kind of missed both goals, but it was nice to be back competing at a high level.
Looking ahead to outdoors, what race do you think you'll focus on?
2 mile/3200 is definitely still my favorite, but I still would like to try the 5k and I definitely want to lower my pr in the 1600.
Casavant's 2 Mile Progression
| 2 MILE | |
|---|---|
| INDOOR | Graph |
| 2017 | 9:27.42 |
| 2016 | 9:22.63 |
| 2015 | 9:44.69 |
| 2014 | 10:29.88 |
2016-17 Indoor Performances
| 2017 | SEASON | EVENT | MEET | DATE | PLACE | ROUND | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:27.42 | Indoor | 2Mile | New Balance Nationals Indoor | 10th | Finals | > | ||
| 9:31.88 | Indoor | 2Mile | New England Indoor Track & Field Championships | 12th | Finals | > | ||
| 9:28.24 | Indoor | 2Mile | Class A Indoor State Championship | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 4:31.81 | Indoor | Mile | EMITL Championship | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 9:52.33 | Indoor | 2Mile | EMITL Championship | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 9:37.75 | Indoor | 2Mile | PVC:BAN, BRW, CEN, HAM, HER, JB, OT, ORO | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 4:31.52 | Indoor | Mile | PVC:BAN, BUC, CEN, FOX, GSA, HAM, JB, OT | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 2:04.31 | Indoor | 800m | PVC: BAN, BUC, CEN, FOX, HAM, JB, MDI, ORO | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 4:37.05 | Indoor | Mile | PVC: BAN, BUC, CEN, FOX, HAM, JB, MDI, ORO | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 4:29.65 | Indoor | Mile | PVC: BAN, BRW, HAM, OT, ORO | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 9:49.11 | Indoor | 2Mile | PVC: BAN, BRW, HAM, OT, ORO | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 2016 | SEASON | EVENT | MEET | DATE | PLACE | ROUND | ||
| 4:31.62 | Indoor | Mile | PVC: Hampden, Central, Ellsworth, GSA, John Bapst, Matt, MDI | 1st | Finals | > | ||
| 9:56.51 | Indoor | 2Mile | PVC: Hampden, Central, Ellsworth, GSA, John Bapst, Matt, MDI | 1st | Finals | > | ||
