Medford’s Adam Lewis sets record-breaking run with MHS boys track team
"... like the bullseye of dart board, he set his sights and didn't waiver for a second.” Medford High track coaches Joe Donlon on Adam Lewis achieving his epic run
As he headed down the home stretch, Adam Lewis appeared determined to write a few new chapters into the Medford High history books.
The Mustang track star was all business at the recent Massachusetts Meet of Champions, putting the finishing touches on another remarkable record-breaking run.
A fleet-footed four-year letterman, Lewis cruised to a personal best in the mile. His time of 4:18.16 shattered a 42-year-old school record, while securing a seventh-place medal. He shaved less than half a second off the previous record-holder Chuck Martin’s 4:18.60, set back in 1984.
Talk about your dream scenarios.
“Honestly, it was the best I could have hoped for really,” said Lewis, 18. “I was looking at that mile record since my freshman year. When I first started track, I wasn’t that good but really improved a lot that by the end of the year I was thinking about it. I worked the entire season to get better every meet. I learned I can improve by just putting in the work.”
It was the second record the speedy 5-foot-11, 150-pound senior smashed this month. The middle-distance specialist previously set a new standard in the 800-meter run placing third at the Division 1 Championships at 1:54.11. The time crushed another longstanding 22-year milestone of 2:01.04, set by Dan Moss at the 2004 All States.
Not bad for someone embarking on the final lap of his scholastic track career.
“I’m just so proud to be able to break those records and be part of this amazing team,” said Lewis, who considers the 800 his better event. “I have so many good friends that I’ve made just by running at Medford High.”
Lewis will advance to compete in both events at Nationals, June 21 in Philadelphia.
A soccer player since age 4, Lewis was originally lured onto the track by his mother as a way of cross-training. She signed the youngster up for his first 5K as a sixth grader.
“I didn’t know much about running then,” he admitted. “I just did it for soccer, but I ran around the track at my middle school pretty much every day to get ready for that first 5K.”
The experience was a positive one and led him to try indoor track his freshman year, and the rest is history.
Walking onto the Medford High track team with little running experience, Lewis took the path less travelled carving out his own unique path.
“It's almost overwhelming how much Adam surpassed our expectations and even his own every season,” said Medford coach Joe Donlan. “He was a nice kid who joined the team after telling us he'd been going on a few runs with his dog. For him to beat a 40-year record is quite the jump.”
Lewis eventually hung up his soccer cleats after his freshman year to run full-time in both indoor and outdoor track, in addition to some serious cross country training.
For Lewis, running is the ultimate test of endurance and skill.
“I love that you get out of it what you put into it,” said Lewis. “I train to improve, and I found I can improve every single meet if I put in the work. From sleeping and eating right to hydration and all of that. Everything matters.”
According to Donlan, Lewis’ commitment and enthusiasm, coupled by his hard-working spirit, has been awe-inspiring.
“Adam is a fierce competitor,” said Donlan. “He sees our goals for him and his own desire to hit a time in a workout or race and works relentlessly hard to make it happen. That comes from that mindset.”
And when you add the expertise of MHS coach Eileen O'Hara into the equation, you have a recipe for success.
“To watch Adam and Coach O'Hara working together is like a symphony of track genius coming together,” said Donlan. “Coach O'Hara crafted countless workouts that paved every step of the way. Adam is always a key part of that process. He understands the purpose behind this interval or that split. He's involved and gives us invaluable feedback about how he feels as well. When it works it works.”
The coach felt the runner also benefitted by the strong backing of his family. Their relentless optimism over the years provided him with an additional boost.
“Overall, we couldn't be happier for Adam,” said Donlan. “A year ago, he would have told you the school record was impossible, but three months ago, like the bullseye of dart board, he set his sights and didn't waiver for a second.”
Although his track career is coming to an end at Medford High, Lewis isn’t about to sit still.
He’ll continue to pursue his passion at WPI in the fall, under longtime director of track and field Brian Chabot.
“I can’t wait,” said Lewis, who plans to major in electrical engineering. “Coach (Chabot) at WPI has been doing it for 22 years. To have that experience and all amazing athletes that they have right now, I can’t wait to be a part of that.”
And if its anything like his run at Medford, you can expect Adam Lewis will leave his mark with the Engineers in the not-too-distant future.
