JOSH LANDSMAN, DEMAREST

Senior, 6-1, 175 pounds

JUST THE STATS: Landsman won the 55-meter dash in a personal best 6.75, placed first in the high jump at 6-4, was second in the shot put with a personal best 48-4 3/4, and was third in the 55 hurdles in a personal best 8.27 to lead Group 3 Demarest to its first sectional title at the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 1 Championships last Sunday at the Bennett Center in Toms River.

REACTION TO YOUR PERFORMANCE: ``Having three PRs in one meet, especially a big one like sectionals, really made me happy. It's rare for an athlete who competes in 4 events to do well in all of them. I'm most proud of my shot put PR (48-4 3/4) because I've been working on good form a lot recently, so it's good to know the work I put in gave me better results."

THOUGHTS ON THE PERFORMANCE BY YOUR TEAM: "The team did more than great, no doubt. Many people thought this meet was going to be closer but we all had huge performances contributing to the victory. I couldn't be more happy with my teammates because if it wasn't for them and my coaches I wouldn't be where I am right now."

PERSONAL BESTS

55 - 6.75 
100 - 11.2 
55 HH - 8.27 
110 HH - 15.7 
HJ - 6-6
LJ - 21-2.75
SP - 48-4 3/4
JAV - 130 feet

HOW AND WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN TRACK AND FIELD: ``My sophomore year was my first time doing track since the seventh grade. I knew I had a ton of raw ability and great potential, but I just couldn't find a sport I loved. One day a friend told me to do track, and things just worked out really fast.''

GREATEST STRENGTH AS A TRACK ATHLETE: "I feel that my greatest strength is my athletic versatility because I can do well in the shot put and high jump and that's a rare combination of events."

FAVORITE EVENT TO COMPETE IN: "My favorite event would be the sprints. I love that feeling of explosion in the beginning and pushing my body to the fastest it can go.''

BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT: "My sophomore year when I won the long jump at our league championship.''

FUNNIEST OR CRAZIEST THING THAT'S HAPPENED TO YOU AT A MEET: "Competing in four events is really difficult to manage, so one time in sophomore year when I had to use the bathroom, I missed my hurdles race and the long jump clerking in all within 5 minutes. ''

BIGGEST PERSONAL GOALS FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON: "Being an All-American in the pentathlon would be awesome. I think it's definitely possible if everything goes right.''

CHANCES YOUR TEAM HAS OF WINNING THE STATE GROUP 3 TITLE THIS SATURDAY: "I know that there are going to be some very fast sprinters and hurdlers, so competing with them is going to be difficult, but if we all have great performances where we need them, I think it's possible. Going for the gold isn't always what's needed, getting those crucial fifth and sixth place points are huge. Sometimes the meet comes down to 1 or 2 points.''

GREATEST MOMENT IN TRACK AND FIELD: "Being first team All-Bergen County in the high jump was a great moment for me. It was very unexpected because I had a pulled hamstring, so none of my other events went well.''

FAVORITE MOVIE: "Step Brothers"

FAVORITE TV SHOW: "Two and a Half Men"

FAVORITE FOOD: Cheeseburger

FAVORITE TRACK ATHLETE: Lolo Jones

OTHER ACTIVITIES: "On Sunday's I help teach autistic children how to play basketball.''

TRADING PLACES: "I would trade places with Bill Gates. Just so I can know what it feels like to spend a couple billion dollars and not have to deal with the bill.''

PRESIDENT FOR A DAY "As President I would start a program that would make the school systems better so that people have more motivation to learn.''

IN 10 YEARS: "In 10 years hopefully I'll have my own business, making good money, and own a beach house.''

THOUGHTS ON CHOOSING MARYLAND FOR COLLEGE: "Track aside, Maryland just felt like a great school to attend. `It is definitely a place that I will get the education that I want. To compete for a big school like Maryland really makes me feel that what I thought would never happen became real life. Being a D-1 college athlete at a dream school is still almost unreal to think about. I took trips to Rutgers, UConn, and UMass. I really liked them all, but Maryland felt like the place for me.''