Freshman track star reflects on accomplishments
Edwin "JJ" Alleva has had noteworthy accomplishments as a freshman in Farrell's track program.
Passion drives freshman track star Edwin "JJ" Alleva to success
Monsignor Farrell’s track team has a consistency of success. And over the years, the team has seen plenty of standout talent and champions represent the maroon and gold.
And chances are if there is someone on track this year that represents the team's long run of accomplishments -- combined with the dedication required for such achievements and the spirit of a "Vir Fidelis" -- it may be found in freshman standout Edwin "JJ" Alleva.
In the fall, Alleva became just the seventh Farrell freshman to win a New York Catholic State Championship.
"I've been running since the first grade, I ran at my old elementary school, and track’s just been my sport all this time," Alleva said. "That’s what I wanted to do."
Alleva has had a historical freshmen season for Farrell's track-and-field program, racking up quite an impressive resume.
Recently, Alleva won freshman state championships in the 800-meter and 1600-meter runs at the Freshman/Sophomore Catholic State Championships.
During the indoor season in winter, Alleva won the Island championship in the 3,200-meter run, finishing at 9:38.87, which beat the previous freshman Island record held by Daniel Gallford, '13. Alleva also set a record at the combined New York/Brooklyn-Queens CHSAA Sectional championship meet with a finish of 4:26. Alleva also impressed by running the thousand-meter in 2:34.
During the indoor track season, Alleva set a new 3200-meter run record, finishing at 9:38.87.
Additionally, Alleva and his team set a team record for the sprint medley relay (SMR), finishing in 3:52.
Additionally, during the cross country season in the fall, Alleva became just the seventh freshman in Farrell history to win a New York Catholic State Championship.
When asked what makes him such a successful runner so early in his high school career, Alleva says it all comes down to passion and hard work. And for all his talent, the training to maintain it doesn't come easy.
"I'm not gonna lie, the training is difficult," Alleva said. "It requires a lot of work. It requires patience. You need to have faith in yourself, you need to have faith you know that God’s watching you, you need to want to do it, and you need to want to do it."
Alleva recently became a double freshman state champion at the Freshman/Sophomore Catholic State Championships.
Of course, Alleva still has three years remaining at Farrell, and there's a lot more to accomplish. And Alleva says he's going to make the most of it.
"I want to achieve everything that I possibly can," Alleva said. "I want to make the most out of the now three years I have, and I think I put a really good start on those years that I have left."
The Lion is Monsignor Farrell's student digital newspaper. To read more articles from The Lion, click here.