Known for her dedication and positive attitude, Rachel Sullivan has been awarded athlete of the month by the Scituation staff. Being a three-season-athlete, Rachel knows exactly what to expect on athletic teams.

Throughout her high school career, Sullivan was very involved. Freshman year, she played soccer on the JV team. From sophomore year on, she ran cross country. All four years, she played basketball, and her junior year, she began Spring Track.

Sullivan’s parents pushed her to continue playing sports because they wanted her to stay in shape. Sullivan is very glad to have supportive parents who push her to do more because it opened up a whole new world.

The 2015 cross country season opened up new windows for Sullivan. This fall, she had one goal; she wanted to make it to States. To do this, she would have to be one of the top seven girls on the SHS Cross Country Team. The season had many ups and downs. The first race, she got lost on the course, so this set her back because she did not make it on the top seven. Sullivan did not let this set her back; she decided to run her hardest and put all her effort into her Road to Wrentham. She said her teammates are one of the biggest factors in helping her succeed.

On the Cross Country Team, everyone runs the same lengths and are going through the same, but everyone has each other’s backs and they push each other through it.

Sullivan said “I really think it’s an awesome experience being on a different type of team and seeing how it builds.” By the end of the season, Sullivan ran in States and got one of her best times. Sullivan is continuing her Cross Country career at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont.

Sullivan’s coach for cross country and spring track, Mrs. McCarthy, said, “Undoubtedly Rachel is one of the hardest working athletes I have ever had. She doesn’t mind going the extra step to be successful. Her leadership skills enable the younger athletes to come into their own earlier because they respect her and listen to her.”
Sophomore and three season team member of Sullivan, Natalie Scott, said, “She has been a positive role model in both sports and life. We were able to become close during our cross country season. Although we were on two different teams during basketball season, she was still very supportive.” Sullivan has overall been a role model and a friend for everyone on all of her teams.

During her senior year, Sullivan was the captain of all three sports; cross country, basketball, and spring track. This leadership has pushed her to step out of her comfort zone. She has had to deal with people in new ways. Sullivan said, “To be a good captain you have to have people who want to listen to you.”

Sullivan had always run the 800 meter race until this season, when she took up the 400 meter and the 4X400 meter race. Sullivan loves the teamsmanship and community the sport creates. She said, “It’s a team in the way that you really need to push each other in races and in meets. It’s you relying on other people to help get you through something that is kind of mentally hard for you to do at the time.”
Not only is Sullivan a leader on the track and the court, but she is one of the newest members of Scituate High School’s Ultimate Frisbee Team. Junior Captain, Ben Smith said she is the first girl in SHS history to play a game. “She routinely shuts down Jack Noonan on defense,” Smith said. She quickly adapted to this new environment and enjoys the sport and the team.

Sullivan’s leadership help her and her teammates succeed on the the course, the court, the track and the field. Athlete of the Month is awarded to Rachel Sullivan, not necessarily because of her athletic ability, but for her attitude and dedication.