Sam Slezak of Kenston High School specializes in the 400m and 800m distances.
Sam Slezak of Kenston High School is a 400m, 800m and team relay runner who has qualified for the OATCCC Indoor State Championship and the MileSplit Scholastic Showcase at Spire. He is the latest subject of our 'Getting to Know' series and below you will learn more about his previous accomplishments and his future aspirations relating to his track and field career.
MileSplit Ohio: Describe your indoor season. Did your results live up to your expectations going in? What are you most proud of from what you accomplished and was there anything that you felt could have gone better?
Sam: Overall, my indoor season did not go as I would have liked. Despite making it to both the MileSplit Scholastic Showcase at Spire and the OATCCC Indoor State Championship, my times were not what I wanted them to be. However, this past indoor season was more about training for the outdoor season. My proudest moment was once again making the state meet as a multi-event participant. After qualifying for the first time last year, in three events, I had been focused on getting back there to compete against the top athletes in the state.
MileSplit Ohio: What events will you be focusing on during the outdoor season? What goals do you hope to accomplish over the next few months?
Sam: This outdoor season, I will be focusing on the 400 and 800 meter races, in addition to their respective relays. Over the past few years, I have really trained hard for these events and I feel that I have become a true middle distance athlete. Over the next few months, I plan on running these events as much as possible in order to get myself ready for championship racing and a run at a state title.
Sam Slezak among others getting focused moments before the start of the race.
MileSplit Ohio: Describe what your typical week of training resembles. Who are your key training partners and do you have a favorite workout that you rely on leading up to an important race?
Sam: A typical week of training involves a mix of intense workouts and recovery days. Our workouts usually take place on Monday's and Wednesday's and with a distance run on Saturday. These days will usually involve a mix of speed and recovery days on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. My key training partners include Evan Sanders, Sam Markel, and Chris Smith. We work well together and we push each other to be the best that we can be.
MileSplit Ohio: Who has helped you to reach the level that you've attained to this point in your track and field career?
Sam: One of the key people that has helped me reach the level that I have gotten to is my coach, Chris Ickes. Throughout my running career, he has been the primary force driving me and pushing me forward. His extreme knowledge and desire to learn as much as he can about all things running related has been a blessing to me and has made him an expert coach.
MileSplit Ohio: What are your long-term goals related to track and field?
Sam: My long term goal is running in college. No matter where I end up, I hope to be able to continue running as it has become a major part of my life. Even if I do not run in college, I intend to continue running on my own for fitness and enjoyment purposes.
Sam Slezak and his teammates following their relay race at the Spire Institute in Geneva.
Sam Slezak working hard to make up ground on Matt Bull of Mentor High School.