Track & Field
Amelia Canetto/Taconic Hills Track & Field
Q: How did you fall in love with your sport?
A: I have been running track since I was eight years old. But I came to love and appreciate it when I was in my freshman year of high school. After being on the Varsity track team for a year prior to this, I got to compete in meets that had real competition and where I learned the amount of work that had to be put in. That is when I really fell in love with this sport.
Q: What’s your favorite moment as an athlete in that sport?
A: I have many favorite moments in my sport because each moment is some type of learning experience to better yourself. But I would have to say my best memory was at our Patroon Conference meet in 10th grade, I was the last leg of the 4x400 and we were about 75 meters behind the team in the lead, I knew that we needed to pull ahead in order to win the meet, so I left it all on the track, passing the girl at about the 200-meter mark and brought our 4x400 team to victory.
Q: What is your favorite sports moment as a fan? (could be any sport)
A: My favorite sports moment as a fan, would have to be watching the United States Women’s Ice Hockey team Defeat Canada in overtime to win the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, I remember staying up until 4:00 in the morning to finish watching the game!
Q: What athlete do you look up to the most and why?
A: I look up to Allyson Felix, she is an American Track and Field athlete who has competed in the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 olympics, she is the most decorated female Track and Field athlete in U.S. history. She has fought through many things over the last few years after her contract being cut from Nike because she had a baby. She is one of the strongest women in the sport, both mentally and physically. She is a true idol to me!
Q: Best advice you’ve received from a coach, mentor or teammate in your sport?
A: The best advice I have received was from my dad. He would take me to the track and push me during workouts, but he instilled this message in my head: “You only get out of it, what you put into it.” This can apply in all aspects of life, not just track. If you don’t put 100% effort in during practices, then you aren’t going to get the results, or goals you are trying to reach.