Get to know Sam Vitale, the Blue Water Area Athlete of the Week

Brenden Welper, Port Huron Times Herald
·2 min read
St. Clair's Sam Vitale was voted Blue Water Area Athlete of the Week on Thursday. The senior won the 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters at the Marysville Invitational on May 13.
St. Clair's Sam Vitale was voted Blue Water Area Athlete of the Week on Thursday. The senior won the 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters at the Marysville Invitational on May 13.

There is no shortage of star power on the St. Clair boys track & field team. And Sam Vitale has been a lightning rod for the Saints this season.

The senior was voted Blue Water Area Athlete of the Week on Thursday. He won the boys 1,600 meters (4:28.64) and 3,200 meters (9:53.21) at the Marysville Invitational on May 13.  He was also part of St. Clair's win in the 4x800 relay that notched a school-record finish of 8:11.50.

The Times Herald recently caught up with Vitale to learn more about him.

Times Herald: How long have you been running track?

Sam Vitale: This is my first year running outdoor track. I've been technically running track since January. I've ran cross country for all four years but I've always done baseball in the spring. This is the first year that I decided to do track.

TH: What makes you such a successful runner?

Vitale: I'd say it's my team pushing me and encouraging me. If it wasn't for my coach, I definitely wouldn't be running these times. My whole entire team is so supportive and I wouldn't be here without them.

TH: Who is your favorite athlete and why?

Vitale: I don't want to single out anyone on my team, but I love watching Carter Boullard run. He's my best friend. So I'd say he's one of my favorite athletes.

TH: What is something outside of track that you enjoy doing?

Vitale: I enjoy hanging out with friends and family. If I'm not running or training, I'm hanging out with my team, my friends or my family. That's usually what I'm doing.

TH: What goal do you have for the rest of the season?

Vitale: In general, I want to do my best and compete. But if I had to be specific, our 4x800 team is really hoping to make All-State. And I'm really hoping to make it All-State in one individual event. It's going to be tough but that's one of my goals for the year."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Get to know Sam Vitale, the Blue Water Area Athlete of the Week