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Nashua PAL’s 2025 Male Track and Field Athlete of the Year
Congratulations to Jake Shepard, age 12, a rising star at World Academy, on being named Nashua PAL’s 2025 Male Track & Field Athlete of the Year!
Jake has been a part of the PAL family since he was 8 years old, starting in the Cross Country program and participating every year in both Cross Country and Track & Field. Over his four seasons on the track, Jake has distinguished himself as an incredibly motivated and versatile athlete, training across multiple disciplines. His dedication and relentless drive have allowed him to set ambitious goals — and not just meet them, but surpass them.
Jake, a student at World Academy, finished 6th grade with high honors and has consistently shown he is unafraid of challenges. From competing against older students in middle school to racing unattached at the USATF National Indoor Championship Meet in New York, where he placed 6th in the 800-meter, Jake continually proves that hard work and perseverance pay off.
This spring, Jake made a bold move by running the 3000-meter for the first time at the New England Association Meet, finishing 2nd, while also winning the 400- and 1500-meter events in personal record times. At the Region 1 Championship Meet, he won the 1500-meter again in PR time and placed 2nd in both the 400- and 3000-meter events. The pinnacle of his season came at the USATF National Championship Meet in Savannah, where he placed 3rd in the 1500-meter and 5th in the 3000-meter, improving his PR by 12 seconds in just his third race of the event.
Coach Judy Boire shared, “In all my 40 years of coaching, I have truly not ever been as shocked by some of the incredible races this young man has pulled off. His competitive drive is amazing and unmatched, and his future in running is very bright! He is extremely coachable, soaking in any and all training and racing tips I give him and is just a joy to coach!” Off the track, Jake enjoys playing club soccer, futsal, and trying new track and field events during practice, keeping both his skills and joy for the sport growing.
Congratulations, Jake, on being named Nashua PAL’s 2025 Male Track and Field Athlete of the Year!