Before the class of 2019 makes their final farewells to high school cross country and track and field, we want to give everyone a chance to salute them one more time! FLRunners invites all seniors to tell their stories from the past four years.
Today we salute Hagerty senior Adam Mastrobuono.
What was your most memorable race/throw/jump/vault/moment?
Cross Country: 2nd Team all Seminole Athletic Conference placing 10th at the Seminole Athletic and 5 star conference 16th overall
Track: Freshman/sophomore 4x8 helping my team beat the next runner in front of me being around 70-100 meters in front of me from the beginning.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
Teams: Lyman, Bishop Moore, and Deland
Individuals: Daniel Harrell (Lyman), James Sellers (Lyman), Kolten Kossler (Lake Mary), Luke Metcalf (Bishop Moore), and AJ Williams (Deland).
What was your greatest accomplishment?
Cross Country: Besides 2nd Team All SAC, I would say running with these group of guys is the best accomplishment. And being able to compete with the big guys since freshman year is incredible.
Track: Going from being injured Freshmen year due to a torn meniscus to appearing in four of the top ten school records list at Hagerty including the 4x8 (5th)- 8:22, 800 (9th)- 2:05.08, 1600 (8th)- 4:40.07 3200 (7th)- 10:22.59.
Who would you consider your biggest role model over your four years competing?
My biggest role model (s) coming into Hagerty were: Andrew Stivers (Hagerty alumni/ UNF), Vandon Menning (Hagerty alumni), Anthony Del Rosario (Hagerty alumni), Nicholas Ebert (Hagerty alumni), and Garrett O'Malley (Hagerty alumni)
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running or field career in high school?
Cross Country: If I could do it all over again I would change how fast I should be going so instead of going from 17:43 freshmen year, 17:17 sophomore year, 17:19 Junior year, and 17:24 Senior year, I should've been going faster every year.
Track: If I could do it all over again I would change from being injured to running my freshman year and beyond. And also I've been running only 4x8, 800, and 4x4 this season when I should've been running in long distance events like the 1600 and the 3200.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome? How did you overcome them?
Cross Country: I had to overcome me being the new leader for this team and not relying on the people who I have been running with my freshman year. I overcame that by being the bigger man than I was before and looked forward to what I should be preparing for and how to help my teammates be successful.
Track: Appearing in the top 10 school records list at Hagerty was tough but with the right mindset anything could be conquered if you think positive.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss the team meals, my teammates, my competitors, my 2nd family, my 4x8 squads, and the meets I ran my 4 years of XC and track.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
In 8th grade during physical night I wanted to do football, but my parents told me that I was way more suited to do XC and doing XC is the best thing that ever happened to me. So what I'm trying to say is do what your gut tells you to do and also to stay positive throughout the day.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
Coach Getty: Our relationship over the years definitely grew, besides being one of his teammates, I was his Teacher Assistant for athletics and he has helped me through so much I never knew. Definitely has such an influence to my running career and my life and I will miss the times I had with this man. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be able to be a great athlete but an even better citizen.
Coach Janson: I have known him for so long ever since he worked with my father and he has helped me push myself and motivate me to be the bigger man.
Coach Malk: Even though he wasn't really my coach, he was the head coach of track and he has helped me reach my goals I was dreaming one day. Not only was he my Track coach but he was my American Government teacher and I really enjoy being with him.
Coach Winningham: Even though he wasn't really my coach, I will tell you that he is the most dedicated coach anyone would know at Hagerty. He has such a passion not only in running but for the Hagerty community and I know one day he will be able to achieve his goals.
What are your post-high school or college plans?
I will be pursuing my Cross Country and academic career at Daytona State for two years and plan to attend a university after Daytona State. I plan to be a Physical Education teacher and a XC and track coach at a local high school.
Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
There are so many people I would like to thank starting with my teammates: Andrew Stivers, Garrett O'Malley, Nicholas Ebert, Anthony Del Rosario, Vandon Menning, Adrian Barreto, James Munro, Ryan Self, Noah Getty, Reagan Eastlick, Jarod Metzger, Grant Dettman, Carter Jenson, Jack Chitty, Julia Plescha, Osean Ronan, Emily Bonck, Kyra Kimball, Charissa Thompson, Jeremy Frederick, Julia Bouvier, Frank Salgado Jr., Geno Simmons, Kaylee Rodd, Rachel Pyros, Joshua Turner, and Melissa Donovan for being like family to me.
I would like to thank my parents for helping me make the right decision and for all the support they give to me and my teammates. I would like to thank my coaches for helping me pursue my goals and going above and beyond everyday. I would like to thank the Hagerty community for all the support and love from the start.
I would like to thank God for blessing me with such a powerful gift of running. And I would like to thank Coach Judy Wilson (Daytona State College coach) for giving me an opportunity to run for her program and for helping me make the right decision for me.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
For a goodbye message to high school I would like to say:
2long2liveMastroWorld
More Coverage:
- Adam Mastrobuono athlete profile
- Hagerty HS Team Page
- Daytona State College Team Page
- Class of 2019 College Commitments
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