Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Brady Pellecchia (Cross Country)
Leominster High School junior Brady Pellecchia began running cross country at Samoset Middle School and has since developed into one of the top runners at LHS.
“When I got into 6th grade I started to run cross country because that's what my older brother did when he was in middle school,” Pellecchia said.
Since joining the sport, Pellecchia has embraced both its competitive nature and the close relationships he has built with his teammates.
“I like the competitive nature of the sport,” Pellecchia said. “I like how close the team is and the connections between teammates."
Pellecchia's development as both a runner and a leader has impressed head coach Karen Marino.
“Brady has shown strong growth each year in both athletic ability and leadership,” Marino said. “He consistently gives his best effort at practices and meets, working to improve his speed and racing skills.”
Pellecchia credits Marino with helping him develop his racing strategy, particularly the importance of pacing himself.
“One thing that I learned from Coach Marino is that it's very important to pace yourself,” Pellecchia said. “If I go out too fast I won't have enough energy to hold on but if I go out too slow I will have too much left in the tank at the end.”
After graduation, Pellecchia hopes to continue running in college while studying either STEM or economics at a school close to home. In addition to cross country, he competes in indoor and outdoor track, belongs to the National Honor Society, and serves on the Mayor’s Youth Council. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with friends and playing video games.
“My favorite class at LHS is AP Biology,” Pellecchia said. “My favorite teacher is Mr. Robichaud.”
Pellecchia has continued to develop as a runner while setting an example for his teammates through his effort and leadership.
“A top performer and key motivator, Brady inspires his teammates to do their best,” Marino said. “Athletes like Brady make coaching even more fun.”