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2024 Male Cross Country Runner of the Year
Tristan Plumb, an outstanding senior at Merrimack High School, has been named Nashua PAL’s 2024 Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. While this is only his 2nd season as a PAL Cross Country athlete, Tristan quickly established himself as a leader, both through his calm and composed demeanor and his leadership by example.
Tristan came into the 2023 PAL season on the back of a personal best, junior-year school season with Merrimack High School, breaking 18 minutes for the first time during his season opener, and bettering his previous PR by over 50 seconds by mid-October. When joining the Striders team in November, Tristan was excited to continue competing and assumed a particularly important leadership role as the oldest member of his training team.
His PAL season on the course was characteristically consistent. His patient and confident mental and physical approach to races led to him successfully qualifying for Nationals in Louisville. Tristan’s 2nd USATF Nationals would be complicated by a weather delay, but, as he had all season, Tristan approached the uncertainty and associated challenges with optimism, patience, and unwavering determination to show up to the start line and give his best – an attitude that rallied his team as well! At his final race of the year, Tristan showed up with his best to tackle a muddied, challenging course. Tristan placed 100th overall and 25th in the 17-18 division, claiming All-American status, all while losing a shoe early in race and continuing without it through the finish.
Through every stage of this impressive All-American season put together by Tristan, his prevailing success was as a leader of his team, defined by his consistent work-ethic and inquisitive approach to the sport, every day seeking to learn more about himself and the sport. Not only focused on himself, Tristan maintained a keen eye to ensure his teammates were set up to succeed as well, leading by example with extra practices after school.
Balancing his cross country success with commitments to Merrimack High’s band and his academic pursuits, including his college search, Tristan’s work ethic and dedication are truly inspiring. Congratulations, Tristan, on an outstanding season and your well-deserved recognition as the 2024 PAL Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year!