I am a South Portland High School student, and I’ve been participating in an Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO). I chose to explore a career as a sports journalist. For my ELO, I had the opportunity to interview a South Portland student athlete and ask some questions about his track career.
Arnaud Sioho is a senior for South Portland High School. He was awarded the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2024 and is a Class A State Champion in long jump and triple jump.
Carlos: What sets you apart from other athletes?
Arnaud: I would say I am a hardworking guy. I like to put some extra work in because I just kind of love the sport I do. So, I like to focus and try to do some extra to get better.
Carlos: Which college will you be attending?
Arnaud: I will be attending the University of Rhode Island, and the recruiting process was great. I went on a visit with my mom. We visited the school and met the whole team. We had a meeting with the coach, and had some food, which was great.
Carlos: What made you decide that you wanted to run track?
Arnaud: I used to play basketball and soccer, and then I missed the basketball tryouts so I couldn't join the team any more. One day, I was in a gym when I was a freshman. I was about 5’11 and was able to dunk the ball. Coach Owens saw me dunk the ball, grabbing the rim, and he was kind of impressed. He asked me if basketball was my only sport and had me talk to the track coach. That's when I met Coach Kahill and how I got into running track.
Carlos: What's your favorite event to run and why?
Arnaud: I'd probably say, I'm a jumper. and my favorite event would be the triple jump. It is jumping three times, three bounds, and then into the sand. I just kind of love it.
Carlos: How do you stay motivated during the tough training days?
Arnaud: I think of the hard work that I'm putting in today and if it is going to pay off tomorrow. You know what I mean? I just have that in my mind consistently, and I know if I put the work in right now, it's going to be easy later on.
Carlos: Have you been criticized? If so, how do you deal with that?
Arnaud: Yes, I have been criticized. I remember when my coach was telling me that he was going to put me in the hurdle event, and I had never done it before. When he put me in the hurdles, there were some other coaches asking my head coach why he'd put me in the event when he could have put me in any other event.
Carlos: What's going through your head at the starting line?
Arnaud: I don't like to overthink things. I zone and just think with my head. I'm just ready to get the race going.
Carlos: How do you handle pressure with everyone expecting you to perform?
Arnaud: Honestly, I just try not to get into my head. I know I'm supposed to perform and be doing great things, but I try not to let what people are saying, or what people are expecting of me influence my performance. Do I ever get nervous about that? Yes. You don't want the idea of failing to impact you not being as good as you can be. So, I don't think about it as much, and I don't let what people are saying, or expecting of me get into my head.
Calros: What do you tell yourself when you are exhausted and still want to push through?
Arnaud: I tell myself to knock it off and just get out there and finish the workout. I know I can grind now and I'm gonna see the fruit tomorrow.
