Name: Mary Richardson
School: George Stevens Academy
What was your most memorable race/meet? My most memorable meet would have to be the
Class C State Cross-Country meet my senior year. My mom had organized a
surprise for our cross-country teams... goodie bags that had been signed
by the teachers and staff at GSA! There were good luck messages, silly
doodles, and well wishes written across the paper bags, it was such a
positive way to start the morning. Later as we walked the Twin Brook
course, we blasted some pop hits from 2010 thereabouts and belted out
some Katy Perry and Taylor Swift to get pumped up! Some people were
speculating as to if we would win the meet, and while we did not, that
State Meet was the happiest and most satisfying one I've participated
in.
Who would you consider your biggest
competition over your four years? Over my four years, Orono High School always gave us a run
for our money. I have fond memories of Hannah Steelman, Kassidy Dill,
and Becky Lopez-Anido paving the way for Class C athletes and posting
untouchable times. They have been followed by equally talented and
passionate young women such as Camille Kohtala, Lucia Smitherman, the
Gaetjan girls, and so many others. They are a hard-working team that
always shows up with their A-game, I sense many more wins for them in
the future. While they are competitors, I always looked forward to
competing with them and seeing their friendly faces, they're fantastic!
What was your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment has been to focus
on and learn about myself. Over my four years at GSA I've struggled, as
many do, with body image issues. I'm a short and stocky gal and I was
really putting myself down when I'd admire my slimmer, taller
competitors. I've learned that your body type does not define your
performance level. I've learned that high-mileage training isn't the
answer for everyone. And I've learned that proper nutrition to keep up
with all of my training is essential to staying healthy and
injury-free.
If you could do it all over again what
would you change about your xc/track&field career in high school?
Would I change anything? Heck no! I think
that seniors give this answer every year, but I genuinely mean it. My
successes, my losses, my injuries, and my experiences have changed me
for the better. You can't have a rainbow without a little rain!
What were the most difficult obstacles
you had to overcome? Injuries are the bane of runners' existences.
There is no worse feeling than watching your team warm up while you hold
down the fort at your team tent area and organize their race bibs. This
past cross-country season I definitely was this poor chum a number of
times. In the fall I had a whole slew of health issues; shin splints, a
freak foot injury from dancing, and a really funky virus that stuck with
me for about two weeks that sucked some life out of me. Those first few
runs once you're recovered are always tough, when you experience all of
the discomforts of running again and when you ask yourself "How did I
ever run so fast?" But the revamped appreciation for running always
speeds up the healing process!
What will you miss the most? I will
miss the Maine running community the most, hands down. The friends you
make during summer camp who you reconnect with at Festival of Champions,
the shared pride we all have when a Maine athlete performs above and
beyond at New Englands, the list goes on. Y'all are amazing!
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What advice you would give to younger
athletes? There is no one more admirable than the
athlete who shows up to practice with enthusiasm, optimism, and gives
100% everyday. You don't have to be the fastest, strongest, or most
talented to contribute to your team. Attitude is everything! I'd also
like to draw attention to the issue of body-image that most greatly
impacts females. There is no good reason to under fuel or work out to
excess in order to obtain greatness. Work hard, eat healthy (most of the
time), and you will see results! Last but not least, always have fun.
Don't beat yourself up over one poor performance, and don't let your
pride outweigh your humility. Always find joy in the rhythm of running,
the outlandish team traditions, and the shared love for the sport that
is felt on meet day amongst the spectators and athletes alike!
What influence has your coach
had with respect to your performance and overall life goals? I've had the pleasure of being coached by a variety
of coaches, all of whom have taught me valuable life lessons. My two
cross-country coaches are about as different as night and day, but the
combination of their coaching styles strikes a unique balance that gives
their athletes a fantastic high school experience. To Erich Reed, Tony
Rolfe, and Anne Piazza, your influence over my running has been a
priceless gift!
What are your college plans? I will be attending Bates
College in the fall and running DIII Cross-Country, Indoor Track, and
Outdoor Track, go Bobcats!
Who would you like to say thank you to? Holy pepperoni, I could list off one hundred people I'd love
to thank. I'll give y'all the short version! Thank you my coaches, my
teammates who have since graduated, are graduating with me, or who I'm
leaving behind to keep the team's gears turning. Thank you to the Orono
teams, Usha, Lauren and Elyssia, to the MDI girls and boys, the Hampden
team during Indoor (special shoutout to Moxie and P-Herriman!), my
buddies at Ellsworth, Paul Firlotte and Ernie, Mr. Eck, my ARC family,
and anyone else who I've ever given a sweaty hug to! I'd also like to
thank my three closest running sisters for their companionship and
support; Eliza Broughton, Zeya Lorio, and Mary Brenna Catus. My last
thank you goes to my dorky dad John who takes photos at all of my meets
in his cargo shorts and dad sandals, and my mother, who is known by all
as "Momma Becky", for running with me before school and for believing in
me always.
Is there anything else you'd like to
add? Thank you very much to Maine Milesplit for providing this opportunity to seniors!
More Coverage
Do you know a class of 2018 track and field or cross country athlete? We'd like to salute them! Have them answer the following questions plus send 2-3 photos (can not be from another website or publication) to dveilleux@milesplit.us
