PA Salute To Seniors: Larisa Debich - Hempfield (7)

 

 

PA Salute To Seniors: Larisa Debich - Hempfield (7)



                       


What was your most memorable race/competition?


My most memorable meet had to be the Baldwin Invitational.  Being the first girl to break the 13ft bar in the WPIAL is something no one else can ever say they did. Winning PIAAs for the first time was also up there for most memorable, but no doubt Baldwin Invitational 2012 is #1 in my record book!!


Left: 13'0.25 highest vault in WPIAL history
 


Where did you face your biggest competition?
USA juniors.
I jumped against college girls who have been to NCAAs and one even placed there.
 


Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?

Having every meet record in Western PA - Lady Spartan, Westmoreland County, Baldwin Invitational, & WPIAL. And having every stadium record in our county.

If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?

I wouldn't change anything about my high school career, everything happens for a reason and it plays out the way it is supposed to.





What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

Adversity.  People judge me with out even knowing me, which created obstacles for me along the way, I was able to overcome it though.


What will you miss the most?
I will miss being a Spartan, and competing for Hempfield Area.  We had an unbelievable team this year and all but 5 of the girls are returning next year so I will miss being a part of the dream team we had.



Do you have any advice for younger athletes? 

Never let anyone tell you what your limits are.  I was told when I was a freshman, I would maybe be a 12 foot vaulter by my senior year.  Well I was a  12'6 vaulter my sophmore year and now I am ending high school as a 13'0.25 vaulter.  You can make your own limits, but that is your choice, never let anyone else set them.

 


How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
I really want to thank Coach Dave Murray.  He has helped me through the adversities of my track career.  I also want to thank Coach Matt Fox for helping me with vaulting.  Lastly I would like to thank Coach Wilson for just being himself, if you know him, you understand his many helpful hints along the way.

What are your college plans?  

I am attending Auburn University in the fall. I am doing track there.



Shout-Outs?
Shout out to Marissa Kalsey, she is the AA WPIAL record holder and PIAA 2012 pole vault winner.  She is one of my best track friends.  Shout out to Jon Faye the best 2 miler I know personally. And shout out to Katlin Gould for being the best, best friend I could ever have!!

& Lastly thank you to my parents & god parents for always believing in me and supporting me & driving me everywhere for vaulting!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to be featured in our PA Salute To Seniors series? Drop me a line: don@penntrackxc.com and answer the questions above! Congratulations to the class of 2012 on all their hard work and success.