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Nick passes Nick Gilpin of
Hampden to become the Bantam
100M State Champion |
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NAME: |
Nick Snow |
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AGE: |
10 |
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SPORTS |
Track
Basketball |
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Parents: |
Peter & Alicia |
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Siblings: |
Riley (Sister) |
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Pro Team: |
Boston Celitcs |
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Favorite Pro: |
Larry Bird |
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Accomplishments: |
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2006: 4x100 Relay State
Champion
(Along with Elijah & Isaac
Yeboah and Liam Sullivan) |
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2007: 100M State Champion
(Bantam Division) |
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2007: A "Player of the Week"
In
YES Basketball Program (Playing
"Up" against 12 & 13 Year Olds) |
Nick has
running in his blood. His Grandfather
was the Old Orchard Beach High School
track coach in the 1980's. His dad ran
track in high school. His aunt was an
elite runner in high school, college and
beyond. His older cousin has been a
state champion in the youth program. His
younger sister, Rylee, is already
winning races at a regular clip in the
Mite Division.
Whether
or not Nick inherited the speed gene is
for the scientists to figure out. What I
can tell you is that he can flat out
fly. Anyone standing trackside this
summer can attest to that.
Even a
glance at his results from this summer,
as impressive as they are, doesn't fully
convey his speed. I was near the finish
line for many of Nick's races this year
and he seems to be moving faster than
everyone around him. I watched him close
on the leader and sometimes pull away
before reaching the finish line. He
seems to be picking up speed long after
the other runners have leveled off.
One reason
for this may be explained best by his
father, Peter Snow, "If we can get Nick
a start in the blocks versus a standing
start next summer Track season I think
he will really cut his time down as he
currently gets out last at the start but
at 40 meters he has that 5th gear that
just explodes like (his cousin) Erica."
Judging by
his performances this year, I don't
think he needs any more of an advantage,
but it might be fun to see what kind of
times he records out of the blocks.
Below are
some questions that I asked Nick. Be
forewarned that Nick is a humble kid, he
understands that it takes hard work to
accomplish goals. He knows the value of
Team, even in track, a sport that
focuses on individual results.
WSP:
How
long have you participated in the Summer
Track Program?
NICK:
This is my second year in the program.
WSP:
You have had a lot of
success in the 100M and 200M sprints
this summer; do you like one more than
the other?
NICK:
I like them the same
amount. I also like the 400M. I
qualified to run the 400 at the state
meet as well but I decided not to run in
the race because I wanted to concentrate
on the other two races. I am really
happy that I won the 100M because last
year I placed fourth in that race in the
bantam division.
WSP:
Before the season started
did you think you would be competing for
a State Championship in two events this
season?
NICK:
I knew that it was
something that I really wanted, so I
decided that I was going to work really
hard to get there.
WSP:
Do you train outside of
the programs practices? If so please
explain a little.
NICK:
I didn’t have time to
train outside of the practices because I
was also playing in a basketball league
this summer and that took up a lot of my
time. Next summer I am only running
track because I want to be able to give
it my all.
WSP: What advice would you give to
the young guys moving from the Mite to
the Bantam division next season?
NICK:
I would say to
concentrate on improving your times with
every meet and to remember you are going
from the top of your age group to the
bottom. Also stretch, stretch,
stretch!!!
WSP: Do you have any track athletes
you look up to? (Either locally or at
the elite levels)
NICK:
There are a lot of people
in my family. My cousin Erica Reaser is
super fast. My aunt
Christine Snow-Reaser is a long
distance runner. We went to see her
inducted into the Maine Running Hall of
Fame. I also hope that I can be as fast
as my dad someday. He ran a 11 flat 100M
race when he was in high school.
WSP:
What s your favorite thing about track?
NICK:
I really like the
competition.
WSP:
Least Favorite thing
about track?
NICK:
Leg cramps.
WSP:
Do you enjoy any of the
field events?
NICK:
I haven’t done any yet
but next year I’d like to try the long
jump.
WSP:
What other sports do you
play?
NICK:
I play basketball.
WSP:
What is your favorite
sport?
NICK:
I like both basketball
and track.
WSP:
What is your favorite
professional sports team?
NICK:
I love the Boston
Celtics!!
WSP:
Favorite Professional
Player?
NICK:
Larry Bird
WSP:
Favorite activity outside
of Sports?
NICK:
I like to play cards and
board games.
WSP:
What do you want to be
when you grow up?
NICK:
I would like to be a
sportscaster or a veterinarian or be
involved with animals in some way.
WSP:
Have you set goals for
next track season yet?
NICK:
I would like to keep
setting personal best times and I want
to win the 4X100 relay in the midget
division (and set the state record) with
Isaac & Elijah Yeboah, Liam Sullivan and
myself. We won the 4x100 relay last
year in the bantam division and I would
like to do it again!!
Congratulations Nick on a great season
capped off with a State Championship!
