Fill out Salute to Seniors Form
Name: Adam Bendetson
Team: Scarborough
When and how did you get into track and field?
I signed up for Coach Kelly's summer track program when I was 10 years old and I've been running ever since!
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
The biggest competition I had in high school was the New England Championship meets. Because the bar to qualify is so high, everyone there is big competition and those are extremely high-level meets. That made winning a New England Championship so exciting and unexpected. Nobody can assume they will win a race in New Englands; you have to have a great day at the right time and push very hard to make that happen.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
Winning New Englands in the two-mile during the indoor season.
How has track and field impacted your life?
Track has made a very positive impact on my life. I've made new friends, stayed in shape, and had lots of fun. The meets are always exciting and I always look forward to them. It is very cool to see the work we put in at practice translate to great results at meets!
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
The most difficult obstacle I faced with track was having anemia during my junior year. During cross country and indoor my times were slower than expected and I felt more tired than I should have after workouts and I couldn't pinpoint a reason. At the beginning of outdoor, I finally identified anemia as the cause and my times dropped dramatically in junior outdoor as my iron levels improved. Once I was healthy, I had a fantastic senior year that I just finished!
How do you prepare for competitions?
I like to stay relaxed and focused on the meet before races. You'll usually find me cheering on my teammates during their races and hanging out with the guys who aren't racing yet.
What influence has your coach had on your high school career?
Coach Jones has been a big positive influence on my high school career. He is very attentive to everyone on our team and his training plans have worked well. He pushed me to be the best, gave constructive advice, and kept a calm and caring attitude. Coach Veilleux has been very helpful too. I like how he saw potential in me and everyone who joined the team and helped us perform at a high level. He helped motivate me and reminded me of what I'm capable of. Coach Harmon was also great to work with. He gave us good training plans and was very supportive.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of track and field?
Outside of track I like to spend time with my friends, go to the beach, and follow the New England sports teams.
What are your college plans?
I am attending the University of Maine at Orono and enrolled in the Honors College. I will major in both math and computer science and will run track and cross country.
What are your long-term goals?
I am going to pursue a career in a quantitative field and plan to live in the area after college. I also have no plans to stop running and would like to run for as long as I can! :)
Who would you like to say thank you to?
First I would like to thank the Scarborough distance guys I ran with, especially the group on our team this past year. I'll miss all of them so much; they were a fantastic group of people to be teammates with! And thank you to all of my coaches, friends, and family for always believing in me, supporting me, and pushing me to go faster!
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Always remember to have fun! When you get to the starting line, try to relax and focus, and don't worry. There's nothing to be nervous about; if you've done the training, you'll like your results. Even if you wish you'd done a little better, remember that if you gave 100% in the race, you did your best and shouldn't lose sight of that. You should listen to your coaches, but also remember to speak up if something doesn't feel right. You're the only person who knows exactly how you're feeling. It's better to back off a little if you're hurting than to keep pushing and get injured. High school track is an excellent experience and try to enjoy it as much as you can. Remember to always be there for teammates!
