Salute To Seniors: Eric Sampsel - Chagrin Falls


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Name: Eric Sampsel

School: Chagrin Falls High School


Personal Bests

800m: 2:09

1600m: 4:32

3200m: 9:54


What was your most memorable race/moment?
My most memorable race is definitely the regional 4x8 from my senior year. We avenged our failure from cross country and were able to make it back to State as a squad. We also broke our School Record.

Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
My biggest competition was always at the state meet- Ohio is one of the best.

What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment is without a doubt placing 4th in the 4x8 my senior year. Team accomplishments always supersede individual accolades.

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
If I could do it all over again I wouldn't have idolized my competition as much, we're all human- we can all be beat.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
My most difficult obstacle was myself; I had the tendency to over think everything. Until I taught myself to zone out and relax I was very inconsistent.

What will you miss the most?
I'm going to miss running with my three best friends: Joe, Blake and Michael- The relay is bae


What advice you would give to younger athletes?
I would advise younger athletes to make running a lifestyle, not their life. I found the most success when I had a balanced life.

What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
I owe everything to both Coach Clay and Coach Kirk. Clay got me into shape like no other, and Kirk knew what made me tick and helped me believe in myself. I wouldn't be running in college without my coaches' guidance and encouragement.

What are your college plans?
I plan to run track and cross country at Ashland University. Go Eagles!

Who would you like to say thank you to?
I want to thank my mom. Everyone in my life has played a vital role in my career, but I owe everything to her. She made me go out for cross country in the 7th grade, and hasn't missed a race since. Without her, I never would have fallen in love with running. I love you mom.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I would like to give a shout out to Michael Rose for being the only man alive who can gobble a plate of pizza rolls and then go warm up five minutes later and still break 2:00 for 800 meters. It's the most impressive thing I've ever seen.


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