On the right track: Revere boys take success to national level

By Dom Nicastro

The Revere High School boys indoor track team captains didn’t sit idle once their dual meet season ended for the winter. There were state successes and even some trips to the national high school indoor track championships.

We caught up with some of the captains on their successful season:

JV Cunha: second in state and scouting for scholarships

JV Cunha, a senior, ran mid-distance events: 400, 600, 800. He said his top accomplishment this year was placing second in the 600-meter dash at the Massachusetts All-State Meet.

“It was a very hyped-up meet that I had been preparing myself for a very long time,” Cunha said. “Although I would have loved to come out with the win, I was very happy with my performance. I improved my personal best and moved up to No. 24 fastest high schooler in the United States.”

The main focus of his training for all these big meets was recovery. He didn’t care about last year, a season in which he felt short of expectations. “I went into this season with the strict thought of having the best recovery possible for every race,” Cunha said. “I made the decision to race less and increased the intensity for my workouts. I saw improvements in my first 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 field 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 finalize and talk about an athletic scholarship.”

Isaiah DeCrosta: from injury to All-American

Isaiah DeCrosta, a junior captain, 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 All-American 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 offseason, DeCrosta 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 definitely 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 first 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: record-breaking 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 field,” Purcifull said.

What was the best team accomplishment and why? “Winning the GBL championship because it took a team effort 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 fit and being patient, determined and focused in order to improve and grow.

Purcifull has started the outdoor season of track and field and will be going to college and continuing to do track and field there.

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