Ursa Medeiros’ senior year has run its course

By Lucy Wing, Reporter

 

After running four years of cross country and two years of track, no one would deny that senior Ursa Medeiros is a driven and talented athlete. This was further highlighted by the fact that when the pandemic hit two weeks into his junior year track season, forcing sports to be put on hold,

Medeiros continued to run outside of competitions, even going so far as to co-lead group workouts with his cross country team.

Cross country coach Laura Johnson reflected on Medeiros’ dedication to athleticism in the face of the pandemic.

“He was a captain this year, and he and the other cross country captain, Ella Yarkin, got the team together three times a week. They went out and ran from [last] February all the way into the fall until we started practicing this February,” she said.

Johnson spoke highly of Medeiros, having spent all four of his seasons as his coach and mentor.

“He is super responsible, respectful, [and] the rest of the team respects him. He’s just an amazing hard worker,” she said.

 

 

Medeiros was injured for much of his senior cross country season, yet still worked diligently before and during practice. By the time track season rolled around, he was back at the top of his game, and was able to achieve a sub-five minute mile for the first time during a race.

When Johnson looked back fondly on her time with him, one moment in particular stuck out.

“At one of our meets after the boys had run, I noticed that a lot of boys were gathered around the playground equipment, kind of watching something. There was a pull-up bar and Ursa was doing pull-ups and they were counting. He got to an insane amount of pull-ups and walked off, and the other boys were all just standing there in shock.”

Medeiros has spent much of the past few years with his teammates and coaches, and has many positive memories of their time together.

“I like the practices where it’s pouring rain and all of us are just drenched after the run,” he said.

Medeiros plans to take a gap year to work full time and then start college, though he is not sure where yet. But no matter what he does or where he goes, Medeiros is determined to include running in his routine, and urges others to do the same.

“Whatever your state in life, whatever your athletic ability, I would encourage you to incorporate running into your life. It’s been really beneficial for me,” he said “[By] setting goals and sticking with them, you’ll become a healthier and happier person both physically and mentally.”