Today we salute Miami Northwestern senior, Rasmus Wright.
What was your most memorable race/throw/jump/vault/moment?
My most memorable race moment would be at districts when I ran a U.S. #39 time of 37.42 in the 300 meter hurdles as a junior. What makes it so special to me is the fact that it was my first year running the race.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
My biggest competition would be Craig Saddler from cardinal gibbons high school. We met our junior year and I would say, knowing that we had to run against each other almost every weekend motivated me to train harder. It was an amazing rivalry that pushed both of us to become better athletes.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment would be placing 2nd at states in the 300 hurdles in my junior year.
Who would you consider your biggest role model over your four years competing?
My biggest role model over the last four years of competing would have to be Coach Khalil. Although he was my football coach a lot of the principles he taught me carried over to track and field and not just athletics, he taught me a lot life skills too. I could honestly say he has made a big contribution on turning me into the hardworking, honest person I am today.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running or field career in high school?
The only thing I would change is the amount of stretching I did because I could've probably avoided some minor setbacks but even so, I'm glad I made the mistakes I made because now I have learned from them.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome? How did you overcome them?
The most difficult obstacle was injuring my hips my junior year. Around the beginning of December I had a minor fracture in my left hip due to over working and a lack of stretching. I went to therapy for two months and I kind of rushed my deadline but I was able to compete by the second meet. About 2 months pass and it was time for districts and I stare to feel the same pain but in my right hip but I only had 3 weeks left in the season so I decided to push through the pain. Those 3 weeks I just did light practices because the pain was pretty bad but somehow I managed to place 1st at regionals and 2nd at states. I couldn't run summer track or play the first five games of my senior football season and I had to do therapy over the summer but eventually my hip got better. Fast forward two weeks into my senior track season and my left hip started to hurt again but I had already been through this a couple times so I knew exactly what I needed to do. 3 weeks later and I was ready to run again. On my 2nd meet back I had already set a new personal best in the 400 and was ready to set a new personal best in the 300 hurdles the next meet. However, the rest of my senior season was canceled due to the coronavirus. It sucks knowing that I could've done something big this season but god does everything for a reason so either way, I'm going to end up where I am supposed to be.
What will you miss the most?
I think I am going to miss home the most because most of my family and friends live in South Florida and going to another state with a different atmosphere and new people is just somethingI'm going to have to adapt to.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Don't take the opportunities that are given to you for granted because you never know when your next opportunity could be your last. Covid-19 is literally living proof. I wish I cold run one more time as a high school senior but it is what it is.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
Over the years I have had several coaches but all of them have taught me something that made me a better athlete.
What are your post-high school or college plans?
After high school I plan on running summer track if I am able to. As for college I am not 100% sure where I will be going yet but I do have a specific school in mind.
Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
I would like to say thank you to god for everything I have been blessed with. I would also like to thank my mom for making me the man I have become. I would like to thank my coaches and teachers for molding me into the student-athlete that I am today. I'd like to thank my friends and family for supporting me through the dark times in my life. Lastly I'd like to thank all the doubters and naysayers that give me the fuel that I need to prove them wrong.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
My story is far from over. Watch me work.
