On April 22, senior distance runner Dan Laurenzano announced his commitment to Ramapo College of New Jersey. Laurenzano was attracted to the school due to both their academics and athletics.
“Ramapo was a school I already liked [academically], and after I met people on the team, I figured I would fit in,” Laurenzano told The Fanscotian. “I met the coach, and I really liked it.”
Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public liberal arts college located in Mahwah that holds over 5,000 undergraduate students. Popular majors chosen by the students at the college include business, biology and psychology. The Ramapo College Roadrunners compete at the Division III level in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJCA) in meets hosted by Manhattan, Rowan and The College of New Jersey.
The Roadrunners finished fourth in the NJAC Championships this past season, along with finishing 11 out of 26 in the NCAA Metro Regional Championships. Laurenzano hopes to add to Ramapo’s successes, while also creating a strong bond with his teammates.
“I hope to be an important member of the team, make some accomplishments and just build relationships with people on the team,” Laurenzano said.
Laurenzano, who only ran cross country his senior season, placed 22 at the NJSIAA Sectional championship meet, while also finishing seventh at the Union County Conference Championships. During the track season, Laurenzano continued to make his name known, running both the 800 and 1600 meter races in his final two years of high school. Running a personal best of 4:46.04 at the Union County Conference Championships, Laurenzano placed 21 out of all competitors.
When looking back at his time running as a Raider, Laurenzano is drawn to one moment in particular that will stay with him for years to come.
“This is my first year as a senior, and I meddled at the Union County conference at Oak Ridge Park,” Laurenzano said. “My friend and I both were in the top 10 which was a lot of fun.”
Despite the fact that his time at SPF is coming to a close, Laurenzano will miss the team he has run with and the culture that has surrounded him. Additionally, Laurenzano credits his time running to helping have a better sense of where things are located around town.
“I’m going to miss the [team] environment and just running in Scotch Plains every day,” Laurenzano said.
