Lewiston junior Makenna Drouin is making a name for herself in both the sprints and the hurdles, but track and field wasn't always her first love. For Drouin, the spring was usually devoted to softball.
"My freshman year of high school I was wanting to try something new," she explained."I had thought of trying track and thought why not and I went for it."That decision paid dividends. In her first year in the sport, she qualified for the Maine Class A State Championship in four events, the 100 (8th), 200, (5th), and 100 meter hurdles where she was runner-up and 300 meter hurdles, her first ever state title.
The following spring it was more of the same. This time on the indoor oval with a runner up finish in the 55 meter hurdles, and a trip to the finals in both the 55 and 200 meter dash. Her best performance would come at the New England Championships with a new personal best time of 7.20 in the 55 meter dash, good enough for a runner-up finish.
That success led Drouin to set strong goals for her sophomore season specifically in the 300 meter hurdles, a state record."I thought it was something I could do if I really worked and tried for it," she explained.
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A week after winning her second straight Maine Class A State Championship, Drouin headed to Connecticut for the New England Interscholastic Outdoor Track and Field Championship (New Englands) where she ran a new state record of 43.74, captured gold, and even shocked herself in the process.
"That day I proved so much to myself," Drouin exclaimed.
"This day meant the world to me and will be one of my biggest accomplishments and memories. I was so happy and grateful. I knew all my work for this event paid off and I can't wait to see how my junior season is going to go with this event.
"After an indoor campaign that saw Drouin win the Class A State Meet 55 meter hurdles, she decided to transfer from Edward Little High School to nearby Lewiston.
"I thought it would be for the best and a good idea for myself to try a new atmosphere," she said. "So far, it's been a good decision."
In two meets this season, Drouin has won every event she's competed in and would love nothing more than to keep that undefeated streak going through the state meet.
Get To Know Makenna
Is there anything people may not know about you?
Before I started track I hated the idea of running and I wanted nothing to do with it.
What gets you fired up before meets?
I like to be alone, thinking about my events, listening to music, and just getting in the zone.
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
You have to learn to be your biggest fan.
