Leach Gellineau ’11 (cross country and track)

Former track and cross country standout Leah Gellineau was always running. She ran every season and every day of the week. She ran hour upon hour. And the best part was that almost no one could catch up to her.

Gellineau, who graduated in 2011, continued to run track and cross country at American University. Her persistence and positive attitude helped her reach that level.

At the high school, Gellineau was on varsity cross country for three years and was captain of the cross country team and the indoor and outdoor track teams her senior year.

Along with being a league all-star, she set the girl’s school course record at Larz Anderson. She was ranked seventh overall in the state.

“She’s really intense, but really super committed, was very into running,” varsity cross country coach Mike DeYoung said. “The only thing I used to have to do to her was tell her to not push too hard, that kind of kid. Super motivated, super driven, really focused.”

In her sophomore year in 2008, Gellineau ran a personal best 5,000 meter with a time of 18:15. A year later she ran a two-mile event in 11:09.51.

Gellineau has a strong internal drive that has helped her persevere when running lengthy races.

“She had the ability mashed with the drive,” said DeYoung. “Which is what you need to really be great.”