There was a piece of advice that always stuck with Ridge Snyder.

Shoot for the stars.

Few stars burned brighter than Snyder during his senior year at Jim Thorpe.

Snyder lit up the track, capturing a pair of state medals and winning two district titles.

The success was a product of immense talent and hard work, the culmination of a process that began as soon as Snyder entered the program.

“It started his freshman year, which was cut short by COVID,” recalled Jim Thorpe head coach Frank Miller. “We could see that there was talent there, natural ability and a competitive side to him, even as a freshman.

“His sophomore season he had a nice season, and then last year as a junior he kind of really hit his stride. He was highly competitive in our league. At the District 11 3A championships, he finished third (in the 800), and finally broke that two-minute barrier - which is a physical and mental hurdle for a lot of these 800 meter runners.”

Snyder, the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Male Track and Field Athlete of the Year, was at his best in the biggest meets.

He stormed to the front with a blistering finish to win the Class 2A 800 at districts, and closed out the meet by anchoring the 1600 relay to a gold medal.

At states, in his first appearance, Snyder turned in a personal-best performance to place fourth in the 800, before guiding the 1600 relay to a sixth-place result for the school’s first relay medal.

“I knew what I could do,” said Snyder. “I just knew I had to go out there and just do what I’ve been doing my entire life and just perform to the best of my ability.”

That ability was often unmatched, and it was paired with an wavering desire and dedication.

“Coach Miller, Coach (Joe) Jaskot, I think they’re some of the best coaches in the league,” said Snyder. “They tell us to do the workouts, and we get them done. We love track. We just love getting after it. We love competing. We love winning. It’s just something we like doing. So when we go out and step on the track, we just like giving it all we got.”

Winning is something the Olympians did a lot of as they capped an undefeated regular season with another Schuylkill League title.

Part of the reason that Jim Thorpe has been so successful is its ability to finish - something Snyder excelled at.

“It’s critical. It’s huge for those kids to trust their ability to go at the 300 mark,” said Miller. “That’s one of the things that I think Coach Jaskot does a fantastic job of coaching our kids to do, and build that mental confidence of, ‘Hey, when we feel it’s time to go, we’ll go.’ And whatever happens, happens.

“We’re not going to worry about that. We’ll make adjustments and tweaks to it if it doesn’t lead to success. But that ability to go, and just drop the hammer, not only lets them know our kids have confidence, but I also think it puts a lot of pressure on the other kids, that maybe want to sit and wait until 250, 200, or 150 (meters left)before hammering out in these 800s and 1600s.”

More than the individual title at districts, it’s the success with teammates that will stick with Snyder the most.

“The highlight of my entire year was winning districts with the guys in the 4x4. That was just a great moment,” he said. “I remember splitting, I think it was a really low 51 (second 400), and I crossed the finish line and just looked back at everybody and was like, ‘Let’s go!’ Ryan (Bailor), Zeeshan (Issifu) and Josh Louk came over and they were so excited.

“It was just a great feeling, just to have those guys being there and seeing everyone so pumped up. It was just a great memory that I’ll cherish forever.”

Snyder helped the 3200 relay team post a school record of 8:16.31 at the Olympian Invite this season. Individually, Snyder’s 1:56.52 in the 800 at states was an area best. The 1600 relay’s time of 3:26.93 - which they ran at districts - was also an area best.

“He’s definitely a mentally tough kid. The three sports he participated in in his life have all been truly individual sports,” said Miller. “Running cross country, wrestling, where he was a regional qualifier, and running track, it’s you versus you. You have no teammates to deflect to.

“That’s why he’s the anchor of our relays. He’s been in all those individual pressures before, that you know he’s going to give you everything he has and he’s going to attack it, and whatever happens, happens at the end of the day. So being in those high pressure individual situations, allows him to be confident, but yet relax, which is key to success in running.”

The area saw the best of Ridge Snyder this year as he skyrocketed to the top. That’s something his coaches, friends, and family see every day - a shining example of success on and off the track.

“I’m really going to miss running with those guys,” Snyder said about his teammate. “Me and Jordan (Remmel), we’re going to be at Lock Haven together, but I’m going to miss Ryan Bailor, Ivan (Turczeniuk), Dawson Meckes ... Those are definitely my guys. I feel like if I didn’t have them, I definitely wouldn’t be where I was at this year.

“They really were pushing me. If I was feeling down, it was awesome just to have them there to really drive me. It just made me want to compete and be the best Ridge Snyder I could be.”