Fill out the Salute to Seniors Form
Name: Xavier Lemieux
Team: Bonny Eagle High School
When and how did you get into track and field?
I grew up running local 5k's and did track/XC throughout middle school, then I just continued it into high school.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
Anyone who stepped on the track was competition. I went back and forth with too many people to narrow it down. I would even consider the old school record holders at Bonny Eagle as huge competition for me as I spent much of high school chasing their records.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
I am proud of a lot of what I have done in high school with my team and as an individual, my team and I have accomplished far more than I would have ever imagined, but what I will forever appreciate was being a part of 3 relays at Nike Outdoor Nationals as a senior. It was my dream to race at Hayward ever since I was a freshman and finally getting that opportunity in my last season of high school track was amazing, especially getting to do so with my teammates.
How has track and field impacted your life?
Track and cross country have impacted my life more than anything else. I have learned many valuable lessons, and my team has become my family over the past 4 years. Track will continue to offer me opportunities in my future that I may not have ever had without it.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Slumps in running, or any time you aren't competing as well as you want to can be very mentally fatiguing. Pushing through and continuing to work hard can be difficult but it's the only way to see results. Another obstacle I have struggled with in running is mental toughness/confidence. I often struggle with my confidence before and during meets, and it is something I have been and will continue improving upon.
How do you prepare for competitions?
Not well enough. Some things I tend to focus on are getting good sleep before races, avoiding dairy in the days before a meet, taking warmups seriously (usually warmup alone), and hydrating extremely well.
What influence has your coach had on your high school career?
I've worked with a few coaches throughout high school and each one of them have taught me different lessons. Every coach had a different style, all of which were equally effective. I would not be anywhere near where I am today without all of these coaches motivating me and training me every day.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of track and field?
Traveling, and spike ball.
What are your college plans?
I plan to attend the University of New Hampshire majoring in Biology/Biomedicine while running D1 XC and Track.
What are your long-term goals?
In education, I want to go to med school and become a pediatrician. In athletics, I want to have a successful college athletic career, and then start training for longer distances and run an ultramarathon.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
My parents for their love and support, my coaches for their guidance and encouragement, and my teammates for giving me the best 4 years of high school track I could ask for.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Hard work really does pay off. If you want to be successful, you need to be willing to put in the effort. Do not expect anything to be handed to you.
