"They were just there, so I decided to run them." This sums up why this week's sports personality, Gary Pruitt, decided to make the hurdles his specialty.

Gary's size helps him on the high hurdles. The athletic senior is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs in at 165 pounds.

Gary runs both the high and the low hurdles on the track team. Last week he was honored as the only Maine West cinderman to go downstate. Gary reached the semifinals in both the high and the low hurdles before he bowed out.

"This was the best thing that can happen to a guy. I've worked a long time for this" was Gary's comment when asked for his reaction to his selection.

When asked what he thought about this year's track team, Gary stated, "I think we had a pretty good year considering the weather we had to run in."

The tall hurdler also advises young athletes to "Stick to it and don't give up too early. If you don't make it right away, wait and you'll get another chance."

Gary's schedule this year includes English, European History AP, college algebra, and chemistry. As for the future, Gary is undecided, although he is still trying to gain admittance into West Point.

Gary's opinion of the entire sports program at Maine is favorable, but he also pointed out that "There is not enough support from the students."

Finally, Gary Pruitt knows what sports can do for a boy. When asked what sports meant to him, Gary concluded, "They help prove something to me as far as knowing myself as an individuals."