Athlete Spotlight: Sam Fear NYA
1. You are a unique athlete, indoors you scored in the Shot Put (2nd) and High Jump, not a usual combination of success.
Yeah, I started both of them in the eighth grade and was originally only successful in the High Jump, jumping 5'6". Freshman year my main focus remained jumping because I only threw 27 or 28 feet at the time and this was no match for Kris F who was already in the high 40s as a freshman. So by the end of freshman year I'd done 5'10", and then 6'2" sophomore year. I started to improve with shot put partially because my body was naturally getting stronger, but also because I had hit a plateau in High Jump. Since I didn't beat 6'2" till this year, I was able to change some of my focus. Jumping between the events is definitely a challenge, but has become something I have learned to use to my advantage. I can use my success or frustration in one event to pump me up for the other.
2. What are your plans for next year? Do you plan to continue your track career at the collegiate level?
Next year I will be going to Wheaton in Norton, MA and possibly looking for an art major. I do plan on continuing my track career when I go to college. I'm considering the possibility of becoming a decathlete. I also hope to pursue a career in track even after I can no longer be competitive, by becoming a coach.
3. You had a lot of success indoors, scoring in two events in the state meet, then going on to New England's in both and Nationals in the High Jump. Outdoors you are able to add two more events. What events will you focus on outdoors? What are your goals?
Outdoor I get to have even more fun. I throw the Javelin and the discus as well in the spring. My main focus will be on discus, my worst event, to try to get in high scoring range for states. In addition I will try to maintain my technique and muscle memory in shot and high. Javelin will need some work as I have some very serious competition, but I think I have what it takes to win if I'm healthy at states. My goal for states is to win every event. As far as performance goals, I'd like to jump 6'6" as I have already cleared 6'3" in the outdoor season, I hope to break 50' in the shot put, which isn't out of reach because I've fouled a throw over 50' and I am consistently throwing 48' to 49' in practice. My current competition PR in Javelin is only 168' but I think I am capable of 180' if I can fix my release, and my discus goal is 130'.
4. Do you have any superstitions or rituals before meets?
I have a few. I don't like to take off my necklace until right before competing. I have to wear the same spandex for every meet. I Velcro my shoelaces under my shoe straps, so they don't flop around. I write down my goals for the meet and what technique I need to attain them. On the way to the meet or at least once the day of I have to listen to Idioteque by Radiohead.
5. How has your season gone so far to this point? What has been your strengths/weakness? How is the team looking right now, do you think that you can win another team title this spring? Who do you see as the top teams in Class C?
So far the season looks pretty promising for me. I do have a few nagging aches and pains, but hopefully they'll work themselves out. I have been very consistent in the High Jump so far. The throws can vary quite a bit, meet to meet, but I've been throwing decently. The team looks alright so far, but we lost a lot of experience and a lot of individual scorers. The team is very young at this point with a lot of undeveloped potential talent. I think that our relays have been a strong point in the past, but with a lot of young runners, we are going to need some spectacular hand offs. Bucksport seems to be the main competitor for the title this year with a very strong group of sprinters, and I'm sure Lisbon and John Bapst won't go down with out a fight either. It will take a lot of work if we want another title, but we will have to wait and find out.
6. How do you manage to juggle all the event work? What does a typical training week look like for you?
A typical training week doesn't include any High Jumping unfortunately. For the most part I try to cover every throwing event every day if I can, but if my elbow or back is sore, I'll hold off on javelin. The real struggle in practice is working around the Greely team's schedule, because we use their track. We don't have a lot of time to get discus and shot work in because they obviously have first call on the throwing circles.
7. What has been your biggest accomplishment on/off the track during high school?
I think I'd have to say my biggest accomplishment on the track is being good enough to get interviewed haha, and clearing 6'4". When I clear 6'6" this spring, that will be my biggest accomplishment. off the track is probably my acceptance to Wheaton.
8. What advice would you give to younger athletes about what it takes to become a state champion? When you were an underclassmen who did you look up to on the track?
Well I don't know exactly what it takes as I've never been a state champion, but I can tell them what it takes to be runner-up and as competitive as you can. It takes endless, seemingly pointless, repetition of drills, a positive attitude, and a will to win. I also think it is very important to be able to trust your coach. I know that my coach has been one of the biggest keys to my success. As an underclassmen it is hard to say I looked up to anyone for the High Jump, because I broke both the indoor and outdoor records by sophomore year. I did however look up to Mike Moody an impressive Javelin thrower, and Matt Powers a Shot Putter. I looked up to both for the drive and focus they exhibited in every practice and competition.
9. With your success at multi events, do you see a decathlon in your future?
As I mentioned before, I definitely see myself becoming a decathlete in college and beyond.
10. What's your favorite subject in school?
Math is my favorite subject because there is a wrong and a right answer and nothing in between, and it doesn't involve a lot of writing...yet.