Brandon Lurveycan run fast, as fast as anyone before in Pembroke Academy school history.
The four-year, three-sport athlete is the school record-holder in the 55-meter, 60-meter, 300-meter and 4×400-meter races.
After wrapping up the end of a strong varsity soccer career, Lurvey zoomed back into sprinting and won the 4×400-meter relay with seniors Hayden Petersons, Caleb Saturley and sophomore William LeCain.
Now in his final season of high school sports, the Spartans’ outdoor track captain is hoping to impress with his dashing speed again and his javelin throws.
With the goal of a New England championship in sight, who knows how long it will be before he reaches that finish.
Q: When did you fall in love with running?
A: I fell in love with running my freshman year of high school. I decided to do indoor track, and from then on, Iโve loved it ever since.ย
Q: What hooked you to it?
A: Our school’s track team culture is infectious the second you join the team. The support, the coaches, the competition are all there and I love it.ย
Q: How have you improved throughout your four years of high school to get to where you are today?
A: From my freshman year to now Iโve changed a lot in track. From only running the 100 and 200 to becoming a decathlete. I now specialize in the 400-meter and throwing the javelin.
Q: What motivates you to continue working on your sport?
A: My competitiveness honestly drives me to keep pushing. I hate losing and after working so hard these past four years, I canโt let it go to waste.
Q: Who are some of your mentors and how have they helped you?
A: My coach Jared, is by far my biggest mentor. Heโs had my back from day one. Letting me practice longer than the scheduled practice time. Helping me in the off-season with drills, workouts, and plans for the meet. To constantly pushing me whenever I feel like Iโm not able to go any farther. By far my biggest mentor.
Q: What race stands out to you in your memory and why? What made it special?
A: The most standout race to me was our state champion 4×400. I can recall every second of that race that I ran, from every thought to how I felt. I remember getting the baton after my teammate Caleb ran his fastest 400 ever and just thinking, ‘I canโt be the reason we lose.’ That race will stay with me forever.
Q: How do you hope to continue improving this spring?
A: This spring is all just about prepping for the state meet and competing well. My goal and plan is just to stay consistent and run my best races when it matters. I want a spot at New Englands so Iโm gonna have to stay prepped and ready until then.ย
Q: What’s your favorite distance to sprint and why?
A: I have a love-hate relationship with the 400; it hurts really bad to run, but when youโre running it and see that time at the end of the race and itโs a personal record, itโs the greatest feeling ever.ย
Q: You were also a varsity soccer player. What made PA soccer special for you?
A: Iโve played soccer my entire life and playing at Pembroke was a great experience to have playing with friends and seeing our progress through the years. From going second-to-last in the division my freshman year to being 3rd in the division my senior year, it was an amazing experience growing with that team.
Q: You’re a senior, what are your plans for the future? What do you envision for yourself?
A: I want to be a firefighter after I graduate, so I’m going to recruit school and Lakes Region Community College to be a firefighter is my top priority besides winning a state title.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give a young runner?
A: My advice to a young runner is not to let other peopleโs opinions of you change you. You’ve got to have confidence and believe in yourself to be great so donโt let them stop you from being great.