EAST LONGMEADOW – East Longmeadow High School (ELHS) senior Erin Lavelle is going places – fast. On Feb. 24, the track and field student-athlete signed a letter of intent to run for Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.

Lavelle excels at the 300-meter, with a record time of 42.93 seconds. According to https://www.athletic.net, she holds the ELHS all-time indoor 200-meter record and the second-fastest 300-meter record. She also sprints, jumps, hurdles and runs relay.

“She’s versatile,” said coach Michael Budd, who has worked with Lavelle for four years. Of her speed in the relay, Budd said, “When she gets the baton, it doesn’t matter where we are, we’ll be in front at the end of her leg.”

Lavelle began running in the eighth grade. “I was always one of the faster kids,” Lavelle said. Adding that her two older brothers who ran track inspired her to pick up the sport. “I love the after-feel of [running], knowing that you did well,” she said, adding that she appreciates the community and friendships she has found through the sport. “They’re always pushing you to do your best. Everybody’s always cheering you on.”

Budd said that Lavelle is one of only two or three experienced track and field athletes at ELHS. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the students lost a season of competition. Sophomores missed out on their freshman season and the other experienced athletes graduated. He joked that Lavelle will be bored as the first four weeks of the season that began March 1 will be training.

Lavelle decided on Sacred Heart because they offer a program in human resource management, her chosen profession. She also said the campus was beautiful and welcoming.

Despite moving on to a new level of athletic competition, Lavelle isn’t nervous. “I’m striving for personal records,” she said, “just competing against myself.”