Samuel Pursey, Chicopee Comprehensive Scholar Athlete
By Nate Rosenthal, Sports Correspondent
CHICOPEE – Once a year, McDonald’s honors student athletes from around the country as McScholar Athletes. Samuel Pursey of Chicopee Comprehensive is the male recipient of the 2010 award for his school.
Pursey is a runner and as a member of the indoor and outdoor track teams, he has been able to pursue that athletic passion. It is the middle distance races that he really enjoys–the 600 meters indoors and 800 meters out doors. He has been able to develop a discipline that comes into play in other parts of his life. Pursey graduated 3rd in his class, taking more than his share of AP and honors classes.
“My parents always stressed school first,” said Pursey, “so they made sure that I did the work I needed to do. As a result, I would never have the attitude that I could have done better.”
His coach and history teacher, Andrew Lamothe said, “Sam was a valuable member of our track team, taking points in nearly every meet. Sam was also valuable to our 4 x 400 meter relay throughout the season. I also had the pleasure of having Sam in class, as well as on my track team. In class he had one of the highest averages in my (Honors level) Modern-World History course his freshman year.”
There is more to Sam Pursey. As well as being an excellent student and athlete, he is able to balance his academic and athletic with his role as a guitarist and singer in his band, the Varlets.
Pursey will be off to the University of Massachusetts in the fall, where plans to major in Business. It is a field for which he is well suited, given his high level of discipline. He hopes to continue running at some level at school as well.*
