HomeSPORTSNick Lee leaves behind legacy for Saint Rose XC

Nick Lee leaves behind legacy for Saint Rose XC

By CAMDEN MALONE
Staff Writer

Although his senior campaign was cut short, Nick Lee, captain of the Saint Rose cross country and track team, leaves behind a legacy of his own in the four years he gave to the program. With the physical demands and mental toughness that running requires, it is no easy feat to not only compete in four years of collegiate running, but to do it well. As a sophomore, Lee ran his best 8K time at 26:41. Battling numerous injuries throughout the remainder of his career, he remained a staple of the team. As a criminal justice major, Lee has also seen the NE10 Academic Honor Roll many times.

Lee’s recipe for success, if you ask anyone who has spent time with him, is work ethic. He was not only determined to make himself better, but wanted to see the success of his teammates too.  Senior and co-captain Evan Ireland ran alongside Lee for four years at Saint Rose.

“Running with Nick has pushed me and made me into the runner I am today. He was constantly on my back about running and to push myself to the absolute limit,” said Ireland. “Being teammates with Nick taught me the value of running and how hard you have to work to be successful in the sport.”

You could spend a lot of time reading off a list of accolades and personal milestones that Lee accomplished in his collegiate career. Following the abrupt end of his senior season, it perhaps is more appropriate to look back on the mark he left on Saint Rose. Ray Putnam, the head coach of both the cross country and track team had a lot to say.

“Nick was the pillar of strength of the cross country program at the College of Saint Rose. Before I arrived at Saint Rose, the men’s cross country program was in jeopardy. Nick was a leader and helped guide the young men’s team. When I arrived he came to me and asked me what I was going to do about the program. I explained to him my vision and how we would build a program,” said Putnam. “Nick was always helpful in telling me where different meets were as I was new to New York. His work ethic and love of cross country helped guide our program to great strides over the years.”

Lee’s career as a Golden Knight is a reminder for all athletes that success is measured in many different facets. He always saw the bigger picture, recognizing the future of the program to be most important. Lee was also the epitome of a good teammate, in that he did not want to be the only one to succeed, he wanted to reach the top together as a team, and as a family. The program he helped to build is now more than ever, a tight-knit and hard-working group of guys, that will no doubt find success in years to come.

When reflecting over his long career, a constant up-hill battle filled with injuries and the revamping of the program, you might ask, “What keeps him going?”

“Running is escapism for me from the real world,” said Lee. “It lets me detach myself from everything and lift the weight off my shoulders.” 

For Lee, running is much more than a sport. His love and passion for it is not just motivation for himself, but it is infectious for those around him.

It is too early to call Lee’s running career over just yet. With eligibility left, he wants to run in grad school. He also has plans on taking the New York State Police Entrance Exam and the LSAT, with an interest in the FBI as a career path. There is no doubt, however, that Lee will always find time for running in his life. 

Lee offered closing advice as he embarks on a new adventure.

“Do something you love and don’t let anyone take it away from you,” said Lee. “Always work on yourself instead of focusing about others because once you do then you can build others up around you.”

Camden Malone is a freshman member of the men’s cross country team.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Congratulations Nicolas Lee !!
    Nick got the love of running watching his brother
    Joshua run .
    I am very proud of Nick , sorry this his Senior year had to end like this .
    Karen Stevenson , (Nicks Grandma ) ❤️

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