Ipswich track star Sam Brown was named Cape Ann League indoor track MVP for the second straight year. Last week the versatile performer made her intention to run at Elon University in North Carolina official.
"I am so excited to be named MVP again," said Brown, who has been undefeated in the dash the past two years. "I did feel some pressure the last couple of meets because I didn't want to lose and spoil my record. Making my college decision also took the pressure off. I'm so happy that is over, and I can relax."
Brown, an indoor and spring track captain, was recruited for the 400 hurdles, which is her main event outdoors. In winter track she also runs the anchor leg on the 4x400 relay and the 4x200 in the big end of the year meets. Come spring she switches to the hurdles, 200, and 4x4.
She is a big success not only on the track but also in the classroom, where she has a 3.92 grade point average. Brown knew she wanted to continue running, but she also was looking for a strong academic school. The letters started coming last spring, and she had several top colleges to choose from.
"I got letters from Division 3 schools all the time last spring, and I had no idea where I wanted to go," said Brown, who plans to major in exercise science. "I knew I wanted to go somewhere I could run, and then I began to hear from Division 1 schools. That's when I first had the idea I could do it at a D-1 program.
"Honestly, I hoped track might be able to get me to the next level, that it might push me over the top at the schools I applied to. I had no idea I would be recruited and get a scholarship."
Late last summer Brown and her mother took a trip to visit some of the schools down south that she was interested in before making official visits in the fall.
"I needed to get a general vibe to find out if I would be happy the next four years," said Brown. "We looked at nine schools on that trip. I had a few around here, too, but I liked a lot of the southern schools. Bucknell, William & Mary, James Madison, UNH, and Ithaca were also high on my list. After my official visits I narrowed it down to Elon and James Madison.
"It was a very tough decision, and James Madison actually offered me a little more. They are totally different; James Madison is a huge state school while Elon is a tiny southern school with brick buildings. It's funny I liked both so much, but it was a very difficult decision."
Brown made her choice right before Christmas and signed on Feb. 2. It is interesting to note that track was not in her plans when she was a freshman at Ipswich High.
"I was a soccer player, and I wanted to play that sport in college so I went out for track to stay in shape," said Brown. "I couldn't believe that people running around in circles was actually a sport. We had time trials, and I ran a really great time in the 300 so the coach told me that was my event. By the end of the season I was sold. I played soccer all four years, but track is my favorite now."
Brown, who is co-captain along with Allie Loeb, is amazed at what the Tigers have done this year after losing so many senior stars. A year ago the team was perfect at 11-0, the first undefeated season ever for the Ipswich girls. They are 9-1 this winter with the lone loss to rival North Andover.
"We lost so many really good seniors, but I knew our young girls had a ton of potential," said Brown. "I thought it might be a rebuilding year and take a while for them to come into their own because you have to use strategy; it's a lot more than just running. They have been working very hard, and despite having only a few seniors we've had a great year."
Tigers coach Gardy O'Flynn credits Brown's competitive attitude with setting a good example for others to follow.
"Sam is a versatile track athlete, who thrives on competition," said O'Flynn. "She leads by example and is humble about her accomplishments. She is one of the main reasons our team finished 9-1. She helps promote the 'refuse to lose' attitude with our talented athletes and gets them in the right mindset before a race."
CAPE ANN LEAGUE WINTER 2011-12 TRACK AWARDS
BOYS
CAL Large Athlete of the Year: Jake Setlline, Triton
CAL Small Athlete of the Year: John O'Neil, Newburyport
CAL Large Coach of the Year: Steve Nugent, North Andover
CAL Small Coach of the Year: Tim Foley, Newburyport
CAL Large Sportsmanship: Ipswich
CAL Small Sportsmanship: North Reading
GIRLS
CAL Large Athlete of the Year: Sam Brown, Ipswich
CAL Small Athlete of the Year: Emily Senning, Hamilton-Wenham, and Lexi Buonfiglio, Lynnfield
CAL Large Coach of the Year: Rick DellaChiaie, North Andover
CAL Small Coach of the Year: Steve Sawyer, Hamilton-Wenham
CAL Large Sportsmanship: Pentucket
CAL Small Sportsmanship: Manchester-Essex
