Athletics Player Profiles
Rocco S. ’26
Rocco S. ’26 began his high school athletic journey on the basketball court. But as a sophomore, everything changed when his older brother, then a Campbell Hall senior, brought him to a track practice. Rocco was immediately drawn to the sport, and the coach quickly recognized his potential. Before long, he was officially part of the team.
Despite being new to track, Rocco advanced to the CIF-SS Finals in his very first season. Along the way, he developed a strong bond with his teammates, who came to rely on him. As the sport became a bigger part of his life, so did the sense of belonging that came with it. “I really liked the running community,” said Rocco. “The more I ran, the more I developed a passion for it.”
At the end of his junior year, Rocco suffered a pulled hamstring before the final race of the season. Determined to compete, he ran despite the injury. While he didn’t perform as well as he had hoped, the experience became a turning point. “I didn’t want to feel that way again,” he said. “It motivated me to double down on my training and push even further.”
Despite being new to track, Rocco advanced to the CIF-SS Finals in his very first season. Along the way, he developed a strong bond with his teammates, who came to rely on him. As the sport became a bigger part of his life, so did the sense of belonging that came with it. “I really liked the running community,” said Rocco. “The more I ran, the more I developed a passion for it.”
At the end of his junior year, Rocco suffered a pulled hamstring before the final race of the season. Determined to compete, he ran despite the injury. While he didn’t perform as well as he had hoped, the experience became a turning point. “I didn’t want to feel that way again,” he said. “It motivated me to double down on my training and push even further.”
That summer, Rocco focused on improving by lifting weights and intensifying his training, building his strength, endurance, and speed. In the first race of his senior season, he clocked 10.8 in the 100 meters, surpassing his expectations. “It was so cool, because I could see how all my hard work paid off,” he said.
Still, Rocco is quick to emphasize that progress happens over time. “You’re not going to see improvement every day,” he shared. “Changes are incremental. It’s really about stacking days, putting in the time and effort consistently over time to see results. You have to stay patient.”
That mindset is reflected in his daily routine: he runs or lifts (sometimes both) every day of the week. His dedication has led him to break Campbell Hall records in both the 100-meter (10.7) and 200-meter (22.7). “You may not be the best when you start, but if you truly love the sport, just stay consistent and work hard, and you will reach your goals,” he said. “Records are meant to be broken.”
The same discipline carries into his academic pursuits. Rocco enjoys AP Macroeconomics and hopes to combine his love of sports with his interest in business by pursuing a career in finance or sports management.
Outside of school and athletics, Rocco enjoys spending time with friends, eating at new restaurants (he loves food), and trying his hand at cooking, which he admits is still a work in progress. Having attended Campbell Hall since seventh grade, he knows he will miss the school’s close-knit community, chapel, and the everyday moments shared with friends when he graduates.
Next year, Rocco will continue his track career at Fordham University, where he has committed to compete at the Division 1 level. With the same drive, discipline, and determination that have defined his journey so far, he is poised to make his mark there. And perhaps break a few more records along the way.
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Still, Rocco is quick to emphasize that progress happens over time. “You’re not going to see improvement every day,” he shared. “Changes are incremental. It’s really about stacking days, putting in the time and effort consistently over time to see results. You have to stay patient.”
That mindset is reflected in his daily routine: he runs or lifts (sometimes both) every day of the week. His dedication has led him to break Campbell Hall records in both the 100-meter (10.7) and 200-meter (22.7). “You may not be the best when you start, but if you truly love the sport, just stay consistent and work hard, and you will reach your goals,” he said. “Records are meant to be broken.”
The same discipline carries into his academic pursuits. Rocco enjoys AP Macroeconomics and hopes to combine his love of sports with his interest in business by pursuing a career in finance or sports management.
Outside of school and athletics, Rocco enjoys spending time with friends, eating at new restaurants (he loves food), and trying his hand at cooking, which he admits is still a work in progress. Having attended Campbell Hall since seventh grade, he knows he will miss the school’s close-knit community, chapel, and the everyday moments shared with friends when he graduates.
Next year, Rocco will continue his track career at Fordham University, where he has committed to compete at the Division 1 level. With the same drive, discipline, and determination that have defined his journey so far, he is poised to make his mark there. And perhaps break a few more records along the way.
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