i BOYS INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF YEAR: Anderson exceeds own expectations
Morning Sentinel
BOYS INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF YEAR: Anderson exceeds own expectations
BY BILL STEWART, Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 03/22/2009

There was just one speed Messalonskee High School senior Erik Anderson competed at during the indoor season. "I gave it everything I had," Anderson said, "because this is my last year."

He certainly made the most of it.

Anderson won three events at the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championship meet and two at the Class A meet to finish off a stellar winter.

For his accomplishments, Anderson is the Morning Sentinel indoor track and field boys athlete of the year. Sam Seekins of Erskine Academy was also considered.

"My indoor season went very well," Anderson said. "I just went out and had fun."

Anderson, who trains with Waterville because Messalonskee does not field an indoor team, won the 55-meter dash, long jump and 200 at the KVAC meet.

He won the long jump with a leap of 19 feet, 5 inches, which was a personal best.

"I went in there very relaxed because this is my last year doing it," he said. "I went out for first jump and got 19-5. I was like, 'Wow, oh my gosh, I can do that?' I wasn't expecting that at all."

Anderson finished the 55-meter dash in 6.75 seconds and won the 200 with a time of 23.34.

"I knew I was going to go all out," he said. "The 200 was hard. I got to the track, got myself into the box and then went hard the whole 200 meters and finished hard."

Added Waterville coach Ian Wilson, who helped work with Anderson's technique this winter: "At the KVACs, he just had another gear than most of the other kids. His times speak for themselves. I hope he runs in college because he hasn't tapped his potential. Some kids are mechanically sound and you know the gains they will make in the future will be marginal.

"But Erik has huge upside. Most of his sprints are done on pure strength and willpower. We improved his mechanics and he just got faster and faster."

Anderson finished second to Brewer junior Ben Sinclair in the 200 and 55 at the Class A meet.

"He's an amazing runner," Anderson said. "He gave me a run for my money. I was happy to be able to run with him. I watched him run the 400-meter dash and he just has so much power when he runs.

"I did what I could do. I ran hard and had fun doing it."

Next up is the outdoor season, which Anderson hopes he can compete in good health. He missed the state meet last year with an injured hamstring.

"I want to go out and show that I am No. 1 in the state," he said.

Anderson is undecided on his college plans, but could run track at the University of Southern Maine. An accomplished singer, Anderson said he hopes to pursue a career in drama. "I love to sing," he said. "I belong to my school's jazz band and I perform in plays at the Waterville Opera House. I also sing at my church every Sunday."

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com

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