Salute to Seniors: Emily Labbe



Name: Emily Labbe

School: Scarborough High School

What was your most memorable race/meet?

I would have to say outdoor states my Sophomore year, in the 100 hurdles. I felt like I really had to prove myself this state meet since I got injured my Freshman year in the hurdle finals and couldn't finish the race. I knew this race would be very tight between me and Nina Tasker, who was a senior that year. I remember right from the start of the race she had beat me to the first hurdle and had gotten about a two hurdle lead. There were just a few hurdles left and I remember seeing her ahead of me, and I told myself I wasn't gonna sit back and let her have the win. I somehow had enough in me to dig and pass her off the last hurdle and ended up winning by .01. That will always be my most exciting race.

Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?

In both the 55mh and 100h, Nina Tasker for two years, Emma White, and Madison Marinko. When all of us were in the same heat it was always a great race.

What was your greatest accomplishment?

I would say my greatest accomplishment was placing 4th at indoor New Englands my senior year. The field was extremely talented this year and the times some of those girls were running were insane. I ended up running .03 off my PR which I was very happy with and it got me to place at what ended up being my last meet as a senior.

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your xc/track&field career in high school?

I would have gotten in touch with my current trainer sooner then I did. I ended up going to him my Junior year and started seeing my times drop consistently after that. I also saw huge improvements in my overall ability to keep my muscles healthy and strong throughout full seasons.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

Injuries. Starting my Freshman year it was obvious I had issues keeping my hamstrings strong. I had a really bad hamstring injury after my Freshman outdoor season that took months to heal before I could even think about fully sprinting or hurdling again. Once I was able to get back into racing, it was hard on me mentally because I was struggling getting my times down, and was also scared of pushing too hard in fear of injuring myself again. I had other smaller injuries off and on, but finally after working with a trainer I stopped having those small set backs and was always ready to race.


What will you miss the most?

I will miss my team, and all the amazing friends track has brought me. The amount of people I have met at meets and are now friends with is amazing to think about. The environment at meets is always so exciting and happy seeing everyone cheering on their own team, and those of another team.

What advice you would give to younger athletes?

Do a long warm up! I didn't realize how important this was until I had my first major injury. Take the time to get ready before your race. You will thank yourself after. Also, learn to focus on your own race, and not worry about who you are against. Once you can get out of your own head, you will see the improvements in your races.

What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?

All the Scarborough coaches bring something amazing to the table. Coach Kelly saw that I had started running track again in 8th grade. He came to a meet and told me I had the potential to be a very strong runner in high school. Because of him, I continued running and worked so hard like he told me I needed to, and all of that work he had me do, payed off in high school, and got me to where I am able to continue running in college. Coach Ross made me the hurdler I am toady. He saw something in me and believed in me. He set goals for me that I never thought I could reach, but with his years of coaching experience and sometimes tough love, he made me reach all of those goals(but of course he has already given me new goals to go for next!). Coach MacQuinn brought the most energy out of any coach. She was a shoulder to cry on in times you needed it, but also someone who would be screaming at the top of her lungs to make you go faster. She made an effort to support every single kid, no matter who it was and no matter what team they were apart of.

How do you feel about missing your senior season due to the coronavirus?

When I got news that the season wasn't going to happen I was extremely sad. I wanted one more season of being a captain, and running along side my best friend Madison before we go our separate ways at college. I wanted one more season with the amazing team, and wanted to see what we were capable of for outdoors. However, I am extremely grateful that I have 4 more years of running ahead of me.


What are your college plans?

I am lucky enough to be able to compete for the next four years at the Division 1 level at The University of Maine! This is especially special to me because my mom also ran track there in college and I like being able to follow in her footsteps in this way.

Who would you like to say thank you to?

I would like to first off say thank you to my amazing, supportive parents. The amount of meets, in and out of state, that they drove me to and never complained once. If I had a bad race they could be a shoulder to cry on and tell me its just one race. But, they also knew when to step in with tough love and tell me to move on and focus on whats next. I also owe a huge thank you to every single coach I ever had. Each one pushed me to be my best, and was there for me in more ways then one. Lastly, I would like to thank every single one of my teammates. Each and every one of them means so much to me and I can't wait to come back and watch them compete again next year!

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I would first like to say good luck to everyone next year!  I would also like to say a special message to Caroline Fallona, Sophie Brooks, Abby Drapeau, and Mollie Verreault.- Remember to breathe!! Its just a race and its over before you know it! Focus on yourselves and your own race and go kill it! Can't wait to come and watch you all again next year:)


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