THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2024 Page 17 SPORT | FROM Page 1 tensity for my workouts. I saw improvements in my fi rst race of the season and continued to follow that routine.” Cunha finished the indoor season by competing at Nike Indoor Nationals. He didn’t get to run the time he was hoping to run, but he’s looking forward to bouncing back in the outdoor season that started last week. He is slowly easing back into the intensive running for the outdoor season. He hopes to win the state meet this coming season. “I am currently getting recruited to run Division 1 track and fi eld at the University of Rhode Island,” Cunha said. “It is pretty much all set with the coaches. I have been on three visits there with the team and spent a night there with them. I have a phone call with them to fi nalize and talk about an athletic scholarship.” Isaiah DeCrosta: from injury to All-American Isaiah DeCrosta, a junior capRevere trackster Kevin Purcifull At last year’s 2023 nationals, pictured from left to right: JV Cunha, Sami Elasri, Medy Bellemsieh and Isaiah DeCrosta. The 4x400 meter relay team took third. tain, competed in the 110-meter hurdles, 400 hurdles, 200-meter run and 400-meter run. “My biggest accomplishment I would say is my progress after injury,” DeCrosta said. “During football season I partially tore my LCL. Learning how to fully run again and hurdle was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Long PT sessions and hours of icing later, I am back and stronger than ever – ready to shatter records this outdoor season.” DeCrosta said the best team accomplishment is the AllAmerican status at Nike Nationals. Placing second in the sprint medley was the “best feeling of my life. Feels like you could take over the world.” During the off season, DeCroRevere’s JV Cunha crosses the fi nish line. sta focused on strengthening his legs and muscles to be able to have more powerful ground contact. “That also has helped me get faster in between the hurdles and when running the curves,” he said. The next step sports and academics-wise is to go to a prestigious school for both track and academics. He will continue to be an honor roll student and excel greatly in his races, he said. “After high school, I will run track … and study law at one of the top schools,” DeCrosta said, “my dream schools being the Oregon Ducks and the Florida Gators.” Medy Bellemsieh: state medalist and GBL champion Medy Bellemsieh, a senior, ran the 600-, 400- and 200-meter runs. “I would say my top accomplishment this season would be getting eighth place and medaling at Division 1 indoor states for the 600-meter because last season I didn’t even qualify for states, and in one year to not only qualify but also medal was a big accomplishment for me,” he said. The best team accomplishment was defi nitely winning the Greater Boston League championship meet. “I always believed that we were the best team in the GBL but our in-season record was 4-2,” Bellemsieh said, “so winning that meet proved that we were the best as a team.” This indoor season, the sprinter was injured for the fi rst month. When he came back, his focus was getting back into shape, focusing more on longer distances to get his stamina back after not running for a month. “Sports-wise next for me is trying to qualify for nationals in the 400-meter,” he said. “Academically, I’m preparing to major in finance at whatever college I end up at.” Kevin Purcifull: recordbreaking senior’s dual triumphs Kevin Purcifull, a senior, competed in the shotput and weight throw for the Patriots. His top accomplishments are a tie between breaking his own school record for the weight throw, placing seventh at All-States (MIAA Meet of Champions) and qualifying and participating at nationals. “I say these three because it showed the pay-off my work, training and progression over the years doing track and fi eld,” Purcifull said. What was the best team accomplishment and why? “Winning the GBL championship because it took a team eff ort and everyone had a role to play to make this happen and continuing our streak for now three years in a row,” Purcifull said. His training regimen: staying active and fi t and being patient, determined and focused in order to improve and grow. Purcifull has started the outdoor season of track and fi eld and will be going to college and continuing to do track and fi eld there. Pictured from left to right: Revere’s Medy Bellemsieh, JV Cunha and Isaiah DeCrosta. Revere’s Isaiah DeCrosta (middle) hurdling during recent Nationals.
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