Spring Break
Freshman Mike Pezzullo at home with URI runners
Kyle Towne
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Sports
10/02/08 - Freshman Michael Pezzullo has had a tremendous start to his collegiate running career at the University of Rhode Island. In two of the three races this season, he has been the first Ram to cross the finish line.
Pezzullo's running career began in eighth grade when the high school cross country coach noticed that he ran very well during a warm-up lap in physical education class. The coach, Mr. Dion, advised Pezzullo to give running a shot. He enjoyed great success, and decided he would run in high school.
Throughout high school, Pezzullo ran extremely well. In his senior cross country season, he ran for a state champion East Greenwich team. The team continued on to finish second in New England's.
"That was definitely the best experience of my running career," Pezzullo said. "We knew we had a great shot at winning states, but finishing second in New England's was unexpected and surprising."
As a major in engineering, Mike has had a smooth transition into college life.
"The schedule is a lot like high school," he said. "It's not too different, I go to class, go to practice, and do my schoolwork."
Pezzullo's father also attended URI, as an engineering major. So Pezzullo had several reasons for choosing URI over other schools.
"Well, I wanted to run Division I, and I felt like I could handle the times," he said. "I like the engineering program; it's what my dad did. It's also nice to be away from home, and at the same time I can go back any time."
As the season continues, Pezzullo is learning how to balance his schoolwork with competing.
"I've been running better than ever, I'm running a lot of miles," he said. "I have to do a lot of homework on the weekends, because I don't have much time to do it every night."
He was very close to his high school outdoor track team, he said, and was sad to leave it. When he became part of the URI cross country team, he said that he was happy to have the same closeness to the team.
Pezzullo's running career began in eighth grade when the high school cross country coach noticed that he ran very well during a warm-up lap in physical education class. The coach, Mr. Dion, advised Pezzullo to give running a shot. He enjoyed great success, and decided he would run in high school.
Throughout high school, Pezzullo ran extremely well. In his senior cross country season, he ran for a state champion East Greenwich team. The team continued on to finish second in New England's.
"That was definitely the best experience of my running career," Pezzullo said. "We knew we had a great shot at winning states, but finishing second in New England's was unexpected and surprising."
As a major in engineering, Mike has had a smooth transition into college life.
"The schedule is a lot like high school," he said. "It's not too different, I go to class, go to practice, and do my schoolwork."
Pezzullo's father also attended URI, as an engineering major. So Pezzullo had several reasons for choosing URI over other schools.
"Well, I wanted to run Division I, and I felt like I could handle the times," he said. "I like the engineering program; it's what my dad did. It's also nice to be away from home, and at the same time I can go back any time."
As the season continues, Pezzullo is learning how to balance his schoolwork with competing.
"I've been running better than ever, I'm running a lot of miles," he said. "I have to do a lot of homework on the weekends, because I don't have much time to do it every night."
He was very close to his high school outdoor track team, he said, and was sad to leave it. When he became part of the URI cross country team, he said that he was happy to have the same closeness to the team.
