Banner Sports Sponsored by the Patriots Foundation
The name is Lucas Andrade. It is one that should be locked into the minds of track and field enthusiasts for the present and immediate future. The 5’11” senior from Brockton High School set the track record of 7.22 seconds in the 55-meter indoor hurdles event at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center. His latest accomplishment came just one week after he broke his own state record of 7.29 seconds at last week’s M.I.A.A. Meet of Champions, breaking the old mark of 7.30 seconds set back in 1991.
This is the second time in as many years that Andrade has three straight wins — the Division 1 meet, the All States, and New England Championships. Right now, he is the seventh fastest athlete in the nation in this event.
Brockton 4×400 team of Jarred Mighty, Abdiel Snelling, Ricardo Pierre and Lucas Andrade PHOTO: BROCKTON TRACK CLUB
In a meet that drew athletes from 276 schools across six states, including Massachusetts, Andrade’s record was the most impressive of the seven records to fall. His time surpassed that of Myles Bradley (7.26 seconds in 2005) of Norwich, Connecticut, as the fastest 55-meter hurdles ever run by an athlete from the New England region.
It is the third time that Andrade has broken his own record over the last couple of weeks. His latest time was 0.07 seconds faster, thus obliterating his previous mark.
“I had my mind set on getting below 7.26 [the New England record]. That was my goal coming into the day,” said Andrade following his record-setting performance. “It is about challenging myself all the time. I just want to strive for more. Once I crossed the finish line and looked up at the clock and saw that record time [of 7.22 seconds], it just felt great to have done what I set out to do.”
Coached by John Fidalgo and Bob Connelly, Andrade has become a dominant track athlete over the past two years. His entry into track was inspired by watching his friends, at a meet three years ago.
“They looked like they were having so much fun, so I decided to try running,” said Andrade. His progress was immediately recognized by head coach Fidalgo and assistant Connelly, the team’s spring season coach. Both men share the credit for Lucas’ rapid ascension to the heights of Division 1 track and field.
Andrade breaks a 34-year-old record at the New England Championships. PHOTO: DANIEL MURPHY/MELROSE HIGH SCHOOL
In his junior year, Andrade won the New England Championships and was a semifinalist in the national track and field meet. Over the last two years, Andrade won the state 55-meter hurdles, won at 100 meters, and became a dominant figure in the high jump, reaching the 6’8” mark.
“An athlete like Lucas comes along so rarely that you feel blessed to be a part of his development,” said Connelly. “He is that rare athlete that actually cheers on his opponents as well as his teammates.”
Andrade cheers on his opponents to bring out the best they have when competing against him; not to psych them out. “He hates to lose, especially in the 55-meter hurdles and takes great pride in being the two-time Massachusetts state champion,” said Connelly, adding, “But the level of his maturity is demonstrated by how he conducts himself; win or lose. If he feels he has done his best, he’ll graciously live with the results of his work. That is a rare quality.”
Andrade also guided his Boxer teammates, Jarred Mighty, Ricardo Pierre and Abdiel Pierre to 10th place in New England in the 4×400 relay.
Coach Connelly described his feeling on watching Andrade set the new state 55-meter hurdles record (7.22) at the track facility on March 1. “Lucas’ race was purely magical. You could tell he knew he had it. I watched him accelerate over the 55-meter hurdles and cross the finish line with a joyful smile on his face. It was beautiful to watch,” he said.
Andrade let out an emphatic yell upon crossing the finish line, looking at the clock and admiring his work. “It was just my way of expressing my satisfaction over my work,” said the young man, who has committed to attend the University of Rhode Island this coming fall. He will compete in the 60-meter hurdles on March 16 at the Boston Landing facility. The New Balance Nationals competition starts at 9 a.m. at the
NB Center.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.