Page 20 - AUG2022

Page 20 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM August 2022
By michael laplume
August Shining Star: Paulina Huckins
“Champions are made from some- thing they have deep inside of them-a desire, a dream, a vision.”
~Mahatma Gandhi
Paulina Huckins is the great- est “name” EVER for a shot put thrower, but is she the greatest champion in Newfound Bears history? In my opinion, yes! When you start to add up all her accomplishments and accolades, it’s difficult to argue. It’s her heart however that makes her a true champion.
For starters, let’s just look at her team accomplishments. She has been on three state champi- onship teams, two in volleyball and one in track and field. She was on one state runners-up team in track and field and four straight final fours in basket- ball. Virtually every team she has been on in her four years at Newfound has competed for a championship.
Now let’s look at her individ- ual accomplishments. She has over 500 kills in volleyball. She has well over 1,000 points in basketball. She has the school re- cord in shot put. She has the Di- vision 3 State record in shot put. She won the Meet of Champi-
ons in shot put. She went to The New Balance Nationals and fin- ished second in the Rising Stars Division in shot put. She is the first Newfound female to throw over 40 feet in shot put (40 feet 1 and a half inches!) Our school record was 36 feet 3 inches when Paul was a freshman. She has thrown nearly 4 feet farther than any other girl in Bear history!
Now let’s look at the intan- gibles. First, she is constantly building up her teammates. Whether it’s on the courts, in the huddle, from the sidelines, or sometimes just in the hallways during the school day, Paulina can always be heard encour- aging her teammates to be the best they can be. She doesn’t just lead vocally but also sets the best possible example with her own performances. She relentlessly pushes herself to be the best she can be. She is demonstrating for all what it takes to be a cham- pion.
She is one of the most coach- able athletes I have ever worked with as well. She works hard, but she also works smart, and there is no place she competes harder and demonstrates her championship work ethic better than in the shot put circle. At the
beginning of track season, she and I discussed her goals for the upcoming season. She said she wanted to be “D3 Champion and put our shot put school re- cord out of reach, hopefully, 40 feet,” she said. I told her, “I thought she could do it, but she was going to have to make some changes in her technique and work harder than ever.” With- out any hesitation, she said, “I’m
in!” Well, it’s safe to say that she performed well beyond either of our expectations.
Paulina won every shot put competition this season until she got to Nationals, where she took second. She just always rises to the level of the compe- tition. Every time another ath- lete threw farther than her, she would just dig down deep inside, find the strength, and throw
even farther. Even at Nationals, when the athlete who won threw 40 feet 3 and 1⁄2 inches, Paulina just went into the circle, didn’t panic, and threw her best mark of the season on her last throw of the season! Only missing first place by two inches. It gives me goosebumps even now as I think about it. She just continued to get better all season long.
Paulina finished off her sea- son by winning the D3 Cham- pionships winning the Meet of Champions (which makes her the best shot putter in New Hampshire), and I believe she would have won the New En- gland Championships if grad- uation was not on the same day. The best throw at New England’s was 39 feet 6 and 1⁄2 inches. Paul threw 39 feet 4 inches the week before and 40 feet 1 and 1⁄2 inches one week later.
Paul is not yet done, however. She will compete as a Wildcat for UNH next year in track and field. Who knows, maybe someday they will be asking the question, “is Paulina Huckins the greatest champion in UNH Wildcat history?” In my opin- ion, maybe? We will have to wait and see, but she certainly has enough talent.
In 2037 Paul will be eligible for the Newfound Athletics Hall of Fame. My guess is, that she will get in on her first ballot. I can’t wait.
PaddleoUT Fitness & Yoga
Only $30 Per Class - Everything Included!
Andrea Charbonneau 603-254-2900 charbuno@yahoo.com
Jennie Ntourntourekas 603-217-7388 jennie5695@gmail.com
CALL US TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
BBetter
A Health and Wellness Company
Personalized Fitness & Wellness
481 Lake St. Unit 1B Bristol, NH 03222 • Handicap Accessible! Book your consultation online at www.BBetterInc.com!
RENTALS
KAYAK •STAND UP •PADDLE BOARD HOURLY • DAILY • WEEKLY
PRIVATE CRUISES
FISHING • TUBING • WATERSPORTS • SUNSET & BYOB CRUISES • INFORMATIVE TOURS • CALL FOR RATES
ICE CREAM BOAT
AVAILABLE FOR WEEKEND PARTIES ON NEWFOUND LAKE ROUTES & STOPS UPON REQUEST
CALL TRISH
(508) 596-9791
lakelifeisthelife@gmail.com facebook.com/experiencenewfound