Get to know Pomperaug HS track and field athlete, recent graduate Robert Vagnini
SOUTHBURY, Conn. — Track and Field has a reputation for its special type of 鈥減unishment鈥� whether you鈥檙e a short- or long- distance runner or field events specialist. Recent graduate, Robert Vagnini, disagrees. He ran track beginning in his freshman year at Pomperaug High School, and during his four years on the team he competed as a Sprinter.
鈥淣ot to sound clich茅, but track isn鈥檛 like other sports,鈥� Robert stated. 鈥淚鈥檝e played a multitude of sports in my life, from basketball to lacrosse, baseball to soccer, yet one thing I鈥檝e found different about track from those other sports I played was the individualistic aspect of it.鈥�
Robert went on to talk about how other sports pride themselves on being a 鈥渢eam sport鈥�, track sets itself apart by being an individual sport that is coupled with team aspects. 鈥淵es, you still workout as a team, create team comradery, and have team captains, but each event at a meet is performed by you and you only. You can鈥檛 rely on anyone else, it鈥檚 your motivation, your goals that strive you to be better than you were yesterday.鈥�
Robert had to overcome the agonizing pain caused by shin splints in each of the track seasons he competed. The term “shin splints” refers to pain along the shin bone (tibia)鈥攖he large bone in the front of your lower leg. Medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, shin splints often occur in athletes who have recently intensified or changed their training routines. The increased activity overworks the muscles, tendons and bone tissue. Shin splints are common in runners, dancers and military recruits. Most cases of shin splints can be treated with rest, ice and other self-care measures. Wearing proper footwear and modifying your exercise routine can help prevent shin splints from recurring.
Robert talked about how he and his other teammates who also suffered from shin splints commiserate about the pain but helped each other push through it. Being a competitive sprinter, the constant practice and direct impact on his shins every day meant no relief until each season ended. He considered working through the pain to compete at the highest level was in and of itself a test that he had to overcome. Shin splints were to see if Robert had enough determination to push through, and after four years of constant pain to his shins, I think we can all agree he succeeded.
鈥淲hen I was a freshman, trying out for track and field for the first time ever, I idolized some of my older teammates,鈥� Robert admitted. 鈥淎s I grew older and eventually became a senior, I realized that age isn鈥檛 a fair measure as to whether or not you should look up to someone. With my younger teammates surpassing their personal records, I began to recognize their continued improvement meant Pomperaug Track had a strong future, and I looked up to them the same way I had my older fellow athletes.鈥�
While Robert isn鈥檛 continuing track in college, he is excited for future track stars at PHS and can鈥檛 wait to see them compete as he watches from the bleachers. He wants anyone that is even just remotely interested in track and field to try it out. Who knows, it may become a huge part of your life during your high school years.
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