Okay, it's time to get started. Here's our first athlete in our Salute to Seniors' series that will be featured this summer. She is Delaney Silvestri of Chariho Regional. Silvestri, a 400-meter specilist, had a great season for the Chargers that concluded at the state meet where she finished fourth overall with an all-time best of 58.71, a PR by more than a second! It doesn't get any better than that.
What would you consider the highlight of your high school career?
The outdoor state meet this year, I broke 60 for the first time in the 400 and placed 4th!
What was your most memorable performance?
Again, this year’s outdoor state meet with the 400. I hit 58.7!
What was your most difficult obstacle to overcome?
Breaking 60 seconds in the 400, it’s something I’ve been working toward for the past four years and especially after my injuries last year that kept me from competing it was perfect to end this year the way that I did.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Whatever you’re doing, do it for the right reasons. Let it be your outlet. If your heart and soul isn’t in the sport then it’s really not worth it. Do it for you.
What will you miss most?
I’m going to miss my team and coaches more than anything, probably more than most people that I graduated with. I know I’ll have a new team, but leaving these girls is like leaving family. I know they’ll keep being awesome and I’ll never forget them.
What are your future plans?
I’ll be running for the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s D1 track team and studying Interior Design at the Architecture andDesign School there. I can’t wait to see what college will bring both academically and athletically.
What influence has your coach (or coaches) had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
My mom has been my coach or assistant coach for a majority of the years that I’ve been running. Both she and my other amazing coaches have pushed and encouraged me through thick and thin and I could never thank them enough for what they believed I could do and getting me to the point where I could do it.
Who would you like to say Thank You?
Obviously my coaches (see above) and my team because our track program is so much more than just a sport to me, we are more of a family than any other team out there. Also my cheering squad (you know who you are) who came to every meet throughout this year. You really don’t know how much motivation comes from hearing your name being cheered, but it got me through some tough times (the last bit of every 400). That cheering squad includes the guys track team because they have some loud voices that just cut right through the intensity of a race. Mom, dad, Nic, thank you all for all of the support you’ve given me since 6th grade. I don’t think I can even count on one hand the number of meets you’ve missed. You all are my biggest fans and I love you guys, thank you for everything.