Athlete Spotlight: Shelby Tuttle - Waterville HS

 

Athlete Spotlight: Shelby Tuttle Waterville HS

You burst onto the track and field scene this winter, starting off with an all-time state best in the Triple Jump at the New Years Relay meet. Did that jump take you by surprise? At the Class B State meet you scored 28 points, setting two state records, one in the LJ and the other in the TJ, while finishing 2^nd to Chelsey Tewell in the hurdles. Can you discuss the success you had during the indoor season? Did you meet all your goals?

My jump of 38’6” defiantly surprised me. We weren’t even that far into the season, and to pull out a jump like that really left me with high hopes. At the Class B state meet I was pretty satisfied with my performance. Although I didn’t jump as far as I wanted to in the triple jump, the long jump made up for it when I jumped 17’6”, especially since I only competed in that event at one meet in the regular season. Finishing second in the hurdles was a little disappointing. Chelsey is a tough competitor and always has been, but it gave me more drive to beat her in the outdoor season.

What are your plans for next year? Do you plan to continue your track career at the collegiate level?

Next year I plan to attend UMO majoring in psychology and compete with their track team at the division I level.

You were hurt during the outdoor season last year, how has that motivated you coming into your senior outdoor season? Indoors you broke a couple of state records, what are your individual goals for the upcoming season? How about team goals?

It has motivated me to train even harder for the outdoor season and end my senior year knowing I made an impact on the Waterville Track and Field program. For the 100 hurdles my goal is to get sub 15, jump over 39 feet in the triple, go sub 46 in the 300 hurdles and help my team out by anchoring the 4x4 relay. The team goal is to definitely come out winning a state championship.

You have been part of one of the most successful track and field programs in the state during your time at Waterville. What has coach Ian Wilson meant to your success?

Coach Wilson has helped me through a lot during my four years of high school, both academically and athletically. He has been a major support system for me that is very much appreciated. It didn’t take him long to figure out the right ways to coach me so I would be able to realize and meet my full potential. Not even the littlest complaint would make him pity me, making me stronger mentally and physically. With his encouragement and belief in me as an athlete, I have grown more confident. Coach Wilson has definitely played a major role in contributing to my success as an athlete.

You got the train with one of the state’s all-time best, Jesse Labreck during the 2008 indoor season, what was it like working with her everyday? Did you ever think you would take down one of her state records?

I enjoyed working with Jesse everyday because she pushed me to do better. She was very dependable and if I needed help with anything she was there to assist me. Knowing how good she was, I never thought I could take down one of her state records. When that happened, it was definitely more meaningful.

What does a typical training week look like for you?

Normally Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are hurdle days where we work on rhythm and technique. At least one day a week we will practice triple and long jump. The other days we usually do speed work like tempo or speed endurance which is sometimes done in spikes. We also hit the weight room every other day.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I would like to travel to Australia to enjoy the climate and see the different animals that live there.

What has been your biggest accomplishment on/off the track during high school?

My biggest accomplishment on the track during high school would probably be jumping the 38’6 in triple jump at the USM relays. It was such a surprise to me that I was able to jump that far, I haven’t forgotten it. My biggest accomplishment off the track during high school would be playing right wing and winning the Class A State soccer game. We were such a deep team and it felt like one big family, it was really special winning it.

What advice would you give to younger athletes about what it takes to become a state champion? When you were an underclassmen who did you look up to on the track?

The advice I would give to younger athletes would be to train hard every day, even if your body hurts sometimes, you need to push through it, because it will only help you in the end. When I was an underclassmen I looked up to Ciara Williams on the track because of her work ethic and how good she was when she competed.

What is your favorite to compete in? Which of your specialty events do you think you have the most room for improvement? What’s the one event you would like to try?

My favorite event to compete in is the triple jump. I think I have the most room for improvement in the 100 meter hurdles, because you can always get technically better and improve your speed in between hurdles. There isn’t one specific event that I would like to try that I haven’t done yet.