Salute To Seniors: Connor Hausmann, Lexington

Q. What would you consider the highlight of your high school career?

A. Probably my senior year in general. I had several great performances throughout the year and made some spectacular memories along the way. My favorites from each season:

Cross country: Being a co-captain with three of my good friends and long-time teammates, winning the Middlesex League title and Championship Meet, and making a team All-States bid for the fifth consecutive year (first time in school history that has happened). 

Indoor track: Winning the first two meets of the season (mile the first meet and 1000 the second meet), winning the 4x400 at a BU dual meet and qualifying the relay for Divisionals, qualifying for Divisionals in multiple individual events for the first time, and the team getting runner-up at All States.

Outdoor track: In the two mile at a dual meet, we all opened up the first lap in a 90 because no one wanted to take the lead. We all cracked up when we heard our split at the 400. Additionally, running 4x400 with three of my fellow seniors in my final high school dual meet, scoring in the 800 and winning 4x800 at League Meet, and running 4x800 under the lights at All-States made this spring the most memorable track season I've ever had. 

Q. What was your most memorable performance?

A. Probably the 2016 Cross Country Divisionals meet. After a disappointing performance at that meet the previous year, I was definitely nervous in the weeks leading up to it. However, just a few days before the meet, my wingman went down with a knee injury that put him out of commission until the start of indoor. I then knew that if we wanted to make All-States as a team, I had to get competitive at a whole new level and run the smartest anyone can run at Wrentham. In the days leading up to the race, I did any little thing I could to prepare, such as getting extra sleep and eating healthy meals. Those efforts paid off in the end; I finished 15th overall in the Division 1 race and Lexington finished third as a team, moving us on to All-States for the fifth year in a row. 

Q. What was your most difficult obstacle to overcome?

A. Definitely time management. Trying to manage track on top of academics, other extracurriculars, friends, family, and sleep could sometimes be next to impossible. The hardest time for that was probably during indoor track because that's when I had the most on my plate. Every Tuesday for 5-6 weeks, we'd head into Boston for a 3-4 hour long meet and we would not get back until 9 or 10 pm. After that, I would still have several hours of homework, resulting in really late nights and spotty attendance in first block on Wednesday mornings.

Q. What advice would you give to younger athletes?

A. Set ambitious goals for yourself and work for them. If you want it badly enough and you're willing to work for it, then the sky's the limit. Running is a sport where what you put in is what you get out, so hard work and ambition are your best bets for success. Coming into high school, my personal bests were 2:34 in the 800, 6:05 in the mile, and 23:15 in the 5k. After devoting four years of my life to this sport, I have improved my 800 time by over 30 seconds, my mile time by almost 90 seconds, and my 5k time by over six and a half minutes. Without the desire to run the times I wanted to and the willingness to work for them, I would not have seen the large improvements I did throughout my high school career.

Q. What will you miss most?

A. Without a doubt the people that surrounded me on a daily basis. I looked up to my coaches; they were terrific mentors and helped me whenever I need it. I also looked up to the captains who came before me and they were the main reason I decided to run year-round. And finally, I will miss everyone I befriended through track, both teammates and opponents. Despite the competitive nature of the sport, the track community is a very friendly one and it was cool to meet so many people from many different schools and towns.

Q. What are your future plans?

A. I am going to continue my XC/Track career at McGill University. I am currently undecided on my major albeit I intend to focus on something related to Business or Economics. 

Q. What influence has your coach (or coaches) had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?

A. My coaches were all great role models. I especially looked up to Coach Babcock and Coach Ladd. They always pushed me to better myself not only as a runner but as a leader on the team and in the community. They also never stopped believing me and made sure I never stopped believing in myself. Without such supportive coaches like them, I don't think I would've become the runner or person that I am today. 

Q. Who would you like to say Thank You?

A. 

1) My coaches not only for all the hours you put in to myself and the team, but also for all the good memories and laughs along the way. Coach Babcock, you had a terrific sense of humor and you never failed to make the whole team laugh. I would also like to thank Coach Ladd for his relentless efforts to get the team better each and every day. It was great getting to work with you for four years and thank you for all the miles you put in with the distance crew. Your passion and energy are one of the biggest reasons why we've become one of the most talented and deep distance squads in the entire state. Thank you for all your efforts! #GiddyUp

2) My parents and younger brother for the countless hours they put it to my track experience, traveling as far as upstate New York to watch me race. They were also the ones who made sure that whatever I needed for track I had it. 

3) My teammates for all the amazing times we had together, whether it be hour-long bus rides to invitationals, the dozens of team dinners we had, or making a human wall around the track to cheer everyone on at meets. I've never met a more fun and supportive group of people in my life. They were one of the biggest reasons why I stuck with track after freshman year.