Name: Preston Gerry
Team: Gray New Gloucester High School
When and how did you get into track and field?
I've done sports all my life, but when COVID hit I kinda just stopped. But in freshman year, I remembered that my older brother had always done track, and I used to watch his races thinking it looked fun, so I decided to join. After that season I started to really get into running, and I found myself improving really fast, which just added to the obsession.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
There's a few that come to mind. Firstly, Bhavnish Tucker of Lake Region. Our 'rivalry' was mostly just a joke, but looking at past results, we always seemed to go back and forth throughout the years. It was cool to have someone improving right along with me. Also, my younger brother Gavin. Though he was never really competition for me in high school, he had an undefeated streak against me until then in almost every sport imaginable. I think a lot of my competitive nature stemmed from his utter athletic destruction of me.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
My last race: states 800. It wasn't anything special in terms of time, in fact, it was only a PR by 0.19 seconds. But I've never felt so good running in my life. It was my first time negative splitting an 800, and one of the first times I've ever negative split ANY race. Not to mention the fact that the negative split was over 3 seconds, an incredibly large margin for such a short race. Just the feeling of being able to continuously pass people on that last lap was indescribable, and I'll never forget it.
How has track and field impacted your life?
To say track has "impacted" my life would be a grave understatement. It has completely taken over my entire personality. Everything I do I think "would this help me run faster?" and the answer to that question basically determines my decisions. This includes eating, sleeping, training, and even things like what I wear and my posture. It might seem insane, but I believe it to be a good thing. I have improved so many areas of my life simply by living according to running. My academics improved because if I didn't put effort in I would fail, and then wouldn't be able to participate in meets. My social life improved because of things like Strava. Hell, I even started to look better because of how much healthier I became. I know this might not seem relatable to people at first, but think for a moment and I bet there's something you always consider before making decisions. Maybe it's "what would my mom think?" or "what would my brother think?" or even something like "will this make me more money?". Whatever it is, it helps you make the right decisions, and for me, that thing just happens to be running.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Injuries. I had one in the summer before my sophomore year, but I didn't have much to lose at that point, so I wasn't too worried about it. However, the second one was in the summer before my senior year. It hurt, and not just physically. I felt like I was getting farther behind everyone with every day I was forced to take off, and the knowledge that I wouldn't have another chance to do summer training for high school made it so much worse. But I didn't let that stop me. I did as much as I could to train without reinjuring myself, and once I was healed I worked extra hard to make up for lost time. I had definitely still fallen behind my peers, but I made the most of it, and once track came around, we were back on an even playing field. Sometimes I still get disappointed thinking about how much training I missed out on, but I just have to tell myself it's in the past and I'll just have to work hard regardless.
How do you prepare for competitions?
I've changed my routine over and over, trying to find the perfect thing to allow me to compete at my best, but the general structure is pretty simple. The day before and day of a race I eat and drink more than I think I'll need. That way I can be sure I won't be dehydrated or hungry. I also put some Nuun hydration in my water a few hours before the race time. I usually warmup for about a mile, and I start that about 45 minutes before the race. Then, after some dynamics and strides, I'm ready to go. I know people who do "mental preparation" but I make a point not to do anything like that because the more I think about it the more stressed I'll be, and that's the opposite of what you want in a distance race.
What influence has your coach had on your high school career?
An unimaginable amount. Beyond just having an incredibly smart and well thought out training plan for the each member of the team, he is also just a good person. He's stupidly funny, undeniably intelligent, and more motivational than anyone I've ever met. It doesn't even feel like he's the coach, it feels like he's actually part of the team, like he's in it with us. And that's not all, he's also been my math teacher for 3 out of the 4 years I've been in high school, and his class has been my favorite every single time. He brings every good coaching quality he has right into the classroom, and just like how he feels like part of the team, he feels like part of the class, too. For real, thank you, Zuke.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of track and field?
Mostly video games, but I also like to solve Rubik's cubes.
What are your college plans?
I've committed to the University of Southern Maine for track and xc. I hope to bring the successes I had in high school to new heights with the greater competition.
What are your long-term goals?
I guess the same as anyone: make a name for myself. Whether that's in the sport of running or something else, I want to be remembered. Though, whatever it is I do with my life, I always want running to be a part of it, and I hope I never let that change.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
First of all, my dad and brothers. My older brother Ethan for getting me into running, my younger brother Gavin for keeping me into running, and my dad for supporting everything to do with it: from buying me shoes, to driving me to practice, to bringing me to Rhode Island to watch a New England's that I wasn't even running in (and to Alabama for a race I placed 703rd in). Also my coaches, not just the distance coaches, and not just the track coaches either. I want to thank every coach I've had in every sport I've ever been a part of, I wouldn't even have the ability to dedicate myself to anything, let alone to running if I was never mentally hardened by you. And finally, my friends. Every teammate I've ever had and every non-athlete friend who's been forced to listen to me talk about track, your influence on me has been more than you know.
