PA Salute To Seniors: Joe Muschamp - Haverford Township HS
What was your most memorable race/competition?
Indoor states junior year running the 4x200 and 4x400 were both very memorable races. Throughout the season, our relays were both very successful and although we didn't come home from states with any medals, we still managed to break both school records. Indoor states senior year was also very memorable running the 4x200 and breaking our school record again and placing 9th in the state, missing a medal by one spot.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
I faced a lot of competition at pretty much every meet this season. Seeing Zaza and Malik at almost every meet is something I got used to, but definitely didn't enjoy.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Coming in 9th at indoor states in the 4x200 was a huge accomplishment for me and the members of my relay. We worked hard all season and really didn't run a good time until our last chance at Meet of Champs when we finally qualified for states.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I would have trained more for track instead of playing soccer in the fall. Soccer was a sport i played my entire life and I just couldn't give it up my junior and senior years. I love the sport, but I knew I wasn't going to play in college.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I battled a lot of different injuries in the 4 years of high school. Freshman year I came out of soccer season with a sprained ankle and still managed to run well. Sophomore year I hurt my back and was limited to lighter workouts and only one or two races each meet. Junior year I was battling a pulled groin throughout soccer season which carried into track season. Senior year I pulled my hamstring while warming up for an indoor meet which didn't fully heal until after the spring season.
What will you miss the most?
I'm going to miss sitting under a tent on a 90 degree day with my team and my coaches, all messing around until it's our time to race. I'll miss coach Keekee and all the seniors I ran with for six years including middle school.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Train hard and stay focused. Our freshmen and sophomores have a lot of talent and can do great things these next few years.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
Coach Keekee has played a huge role in my life. She's not only a coach to me, She's like a sister and a mother as well. When I need to work harder, she gets on me and makes sure I do what I need to do. When I'm having a problem outside of track, she's the first person to ask me what’s wrong and help me through my problems. Keekee is also one of the only coaches I have ever met that makes sure her athletes grades are up to par. The PIAA rule states that an athlete must be failing 2 major classes to become ineligible to participate but Keekee's rule is if you have a D, you can't run until that grade goes up.
What are your college plans?
I will be attending West Chester University majoring in Athletic Training and hopefully walking on to the track team.
Shout-Outs?
I want to say good luck in college to Adam Bodine, Brandon Waller, Marcus Sydnor and good luck these next three years in high school to Justin Moscoe.
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