Years after initially joining track in the seventh grade, senior Rebekah Priano will kick start her collegiate track career this fall at Pennsylvania Western University as part of the Class of 2027. In her final Baldwin season, though, Priano’s motivation stems from trying to serve as a mentor to her younger teammates.

“I wanted to be an example to them so that they have a good role model to look up to,” Priano said. 

Some of that motivation comes from reflecting on her own first year on the high school team.

“I think about how the seniors were when I was a freshman and how I looked up to them. I think more about what I’m doing and how the underclassmen view me,” Priano said. 

Freshman Molly Gorman has noticed Priano’s impact on the team.

“She definitely sticks out as a teammate and as an athlete in general. She is constantly helping others and never leaves anyone out,” Gorman said. 

Priano runs the 400 and the 200. She also competes in the 4×4 and the 4×8 relays.

For her senior year, Priano is competing as a sprinter after always being solely a distance runner. Priano had tried sprinting for track previously but never did it in competitions. 

“I tried sprinting last year and I was good at it, so I kept doing it. I still do the 4×8. I just do the sprinting with it,” Priano said. 

Priano for the last two years competed at WPIALs and medaled as a sophomore for the 4×8 relay.

“I hope to go this year for the open 400,” Priano said. 

Senior Joey Priano praised his twin sister’s versatility within the sport. 

“She has always been a distance runner because she always did cross country, but this year she is a sprinting runner and is one of the best on the team. It is really cool that she can basically do everything,” Joey Priano said. 

Rebekah Priano does acknowledge experiencing periods of doubts regarding her continuation of the sport, but has managed to persevere.

“It ends up being fine whenever you look at the big picture,” she said.

Priano also finds that she has established long-lasting friendships through track.

“Even though it’s like an individual sport and people are trying to achieve their own personal records, it is like a family,” she said.

Priano’s favorite moments from the sport have come from accomplishing personal records and team achievements.  

“Personal achievements I have accomplished within the sport are getting PRs and running in a relay. The team ends up doing well because you put in some of the work,” Priano said. “The results show whenever you and your team put in that work.”