OLD BRIDGE, N.J. (BVM)— High school senior Nick Medeiros has dominated New Jersey track and field representing Old Bridge High School (OBHS) in Old Bridge, NJ since his freshman year. With his senior season postponed until further notice due to COVID-19, Medeiros is preparing to be a part of one of the best college track programs in the country, Georgetown University, in 2021.

At the end of his junior year, Medeiros was ranked second in the country in the 800 meters (800m) with a time of 1:52.76 during the most recent state championships.

“I started taking track serious during the spring of my freshmen year. I realized that I had fast times in multiple races for my grade,” said Medeiros. “I was able to compete with many seniors and knew that I was one of the faster freshmen in the state.”

During his freshman indoor season, Medeiros ran a 2:08 800m, which he improved to 1:59 during the outdoor spring season. However, he did not have a great start to his sophomore season due to injury, where he started competing later into the indoor season.

“Sophomore year I had growing pains in both of my knees, so I couldn’t run much to start off my indoor season and I was pretty upset that I could barely even run,” said Medeiros. My coach signed me up for an 800m race in the middle of the season, and I started off running a 2:01…I surprised myself.”

He improved on that 800m time when he competed in that year’s New Balance indoor nationals, finishing fourth in the state with a time of 1:55. During Medeiros’ spring outdoor season, he competed in the 400 meters (400m) for the first time and recorded a 49.09 second time, as well as posting a 1:53.9 800m time the next day. He finished the year breaking his 800m personal best on seven consecutive occasions, placing fifth in the state with a 1:52.87 time.

Along with track, Medeiros played for the OBHS boys soccer team, playing a big part on the varsity team during his freshman and sophomore year. Going into his junior year, however, his body could not handle both sports, thus forcing him to pick one over the other.

“I had to make multiple sacrifices in my life to get to where I am now. I had to quit playing varsity and club soccer after my sophomore year to focus on track training,” said Medeiros. “When I used to do both track and soccer I would cramp up nearly three times each week from overworking myself.”

Medeiros also started his junior year track season injured, but that did not stop him from being successful during the indoor season.

“Indoors I started off a little slow my junior year but started winning races even with an Achilles injury. I ran a 1:53.68 at the ocean breeze invitational, winning “Most outstanding performance” of the meet,” said Medeiros.

At the 2019 state championships, Medeiros placed second in the 800m posting a 1:52.76 time, losing by .3 seconds, and also earning his first All-American award. He also ranked second in the nation amongst high schoolers for the 800 meters.

The OBHS track and field program is widely known as one of the best programs in the state and regularly have two or more students competing at the collegiate level every year. And after Medeiros’ sophomore year, he was already starting the recruitment process for NCAA programs.

“I started getting interest from colleges towards the end of my sophomore year and during cross country my junior year,” said Medeiros. “During junior spring season I received lots of emails from top schools who had interest in me.”

With a plethora of division one programs interested, Medeiros had to make his decision based not only on the schools athletics, but their academics as well.

“I was deciding between UPenn and Georgetown as my top two schools,” said Medeiros. “I chose Georgetown for their amazing balance of academics and athletics. Compared to other schools, Georgetown was elite in their middle-distance running…I immediately got along with the coach and felt that Georgetown would bring out the best in me.”

Because the spring season was canceled due to COVID-19, he was only able to train and post time trials. He posted a 400m of 48.7 seconds, a 1:51.8 800m and 4:23 mile time trials. Using that training to be ready to represent the hoyas in the nation’s capital.

“I’m excited to make new steps in my track and field career and competing at the highest level of the NCAA is a goal of mine,” said Medeiros. “I’m prepared for harder training, more schoolwork, and high expectations. I can’t wait to make Georgetown my new home, and I’m ready to work harder than ever before!”

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