Name: Sam Bernstein
School: Douglas County High School
Q) What was your most memorable race/throw/jump/vault/moment?
My most memorable race would have to be this year's NXR. Being able to bring XC to a close with a PR was something I had been looking forward to since Liberty Bell, and doing it alongside all the boys will be unforgettable. Also, NXR gives out Gatorade and protein bars at the end!
Q) Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
I didn't have any competition from other teams, but rather competition with myself and my teammates. With distance running being such a mentally tough sport, I've had to find ways to take my mind off the pain or to simply push through it. My teammates also provided competition during workouts and races. No one wanted to be the last one across the line.
Q) What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was going sub-18 this year at Liberty Bell (I know, I'm almost as fast as Cole Sprout).
Q) If you could do it all over again what would you change about your career in high school?
I would have started distance running earlier. I didn't start until track of Sophomore year so it would've been nice to have three additional seasons under my belt going into my senior year.
Q) What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I have asthma which prevents me from pushing myself to the level that other athletes are able to perform at. However, with this being a part of me, I have learned of routines that work for me to push through workouts and races despite this obstacle.
Q) What will you miss the most?
I will miss my teammates. I've watched each of my seven (non related) brothers grow and succeed in the past few years, so I'm going to miss watching them continue to thrive and being a fellow teammate of theirs.
Q) What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Running is a tough sport. It tests your integrity, mental and physical strength, and your overall will to seek personal success. Your level of fitness doesn't determine these things, it is your drive to continue that does. By continuing, you're not only building your fitness, you're also building your character both on the track and in life.
Q) What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
My coach has believed in me every step of the way to where I am currently. Although at some points I had lost believing in myself, he was always there to pick me up, guide me back, and bring my focus to what was important: the fact that I tried and had bad times versus the alternative of having given up and not producing a time. This belief has carried over into my life as well, in that it's better to try and fail than to not try at all.
Q) What are your college plans?
I will be attending Colorado School of Mines and am hoping to run for a club team.
Q) Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
In addition to my coach, I would like to thank my parents and teammates.
My parents have watched almost every race of mine, and through it all, they have encouraged me and supported me whether it be driving me to summer practice or buying me another crazy pair of BOAs. Also I want to thank them for the excessive amount of chocolate milk they have purchased.
I would like to thank my teammates as well. From the innumerable amount of laughs and experiences we have made together, I have made some of the greatest relationships that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
And if this gets posted on the website, I want them all to know that each of them has had an impact and role in my life that will forever be remembered and impossible to replace. Thank you for creating those roles in my life that I never thought would be important to me. For that, like I said earlier, it will make leaving you guys even more difficult.
Q) Is there anything else you'd like to add?
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