High School Runner Sara Paparatto Goes the Distance

Running is just a way of life for Sara Paparatto.

With difficult classes, a social life to maintain, and dealing with everyday teen life, an unwavering devotion to training might seem like a grueling and maybe even irrational hobby for any Mattituck High School sophomore — yet Sara wouldn't have it any other way.

"When I run all my worries go away," she said. "It's just me and the path. I feel calm and stress-free."

Sara, 14, is a few weeks into her fourth cross country season at Mattituck High School. She's been hooked on running since the seventh grade, when she first participated in Mattituck Junior High's cross country team. She's also a member of the high school's winter running club, and she somehow finds the time to run on her own most Saturdays.

Last year, when she was only a freshman, Sara qualified for the state cross country meet — her proudest moment in running to date.

"That was my goal in the beginning of the year, and I was able to complete it," she said. "I'm very glad I did, because I had a blast during the states race. Everyone welcomed me and made me feel part of their team."

According to her teachers and peers, Sara makes everyone around her feel like part of the team, motivating people not only with her determination and passion for her sport — but with her signature happy-go-lucky attitude. 

"Sara runs, kicks everyone's butt, and then cheers on her teammates no matter how tired she is or how slow they are," said junior Melissa Barry, Sara's teammate.

Mattituck Girl's Varsity Cross County coach Jean Mahoney described Sara as a coach's dream.

"She is very encouraging of the other runners, has a winning smile and a great attitude," she said. "She does not complain, puts great effort into her running — and that carries over into her schoolwork."

Cross country, described by many as a punishment rather than a sport, is not the only daunting task Sara is tackling this year. She's currently enrolled in AP World History, widely-known amongst students as the hardest class Mattituck High School has to offer.

Sara said she handles the workload by skimping out on sleep to finish up assignments, sacrificing time with friends and doing homework on the bus headed to meets — only to get back to the work of running.

That's just what Sara does.

"Cross country is really about who can push themselves the furthest," she said. "It is very painful along the way, but that all goes away when you see what you've accomplished. One of my lifetime goals is to run a marathon when I'm older, so I'll need to stay in shape and train until I complete one. I'll definitely keep running to stay active and healthy for as long as I can run."