The standout at Belmont Hill broke school record

Published in the June 1, 2018 edition

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—Melrose’s John Pappo is wrapping up a terrific high school running career at Belmont Hill high school and this fall will become a member of the Tufts University track team.

The soon-to-be graduate has enjoyed a prolific high school career and helped the Hillies capture four ISL titles and a New England Championship over the last three years. As captain of Belmont Hill’s cross country and track teams, distance running has been Pappo’s specialty with a career highlight an appearance at the New Balance Championships his freshmen season, where he ran an 8:51.

JOHN PAPPO, a Belmont Hill senior, will run for the Tufts University Jumbos in the fall. (courtesy photo)

Pappo recently broke the school record in the 3000 meter with a flat 9 minute mark (+77), an effort that his high school coach Arriana Valias saluted. “John is a genuinely great kid and a tough, hard working individual who ran one of his best races for us this season. He’s been a consistent presence for us since his freshmen year and always came through when we needed him.” 

Pappo, 18, began running on the Belmont Hill middle school track team at age 13. He recollects his favorite moments as a Hillie. “My junior year we won the ISL Championship in both track and cross country and we won a New England Championship in track.” That success continued his senior season. This year, Belmont Hill also won the ISL and New England Championship in track.

Now, he will run as a Jumbo at Tufts University, where he may pursue Economics. In his recruitment process, he visited a number of different colleges but was set on Tufts. “During my visit, I got to meet Coach Schmidt, the Head Distance Coach and members of the team. Tufts is a great school, and I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of a great track program.”

Says coach Valias, “It’s been such a pleasure to coach him and he leaves this program in such good hands. I’m so excited to follow his career at Tufts.” 

It’s been a long road for Pappo, and one that he ran quite well. “I’m thankful for Coach Vailas and Coach Trautz at Belmont Hill for keeping me in shape and pushing me to succeed for the last four years. Also, thanks to my parents for supporting me, and getting me out and running at times when I wasn’t feeling up to it.”