Leonardi earns national coaches award

KENNEBUNK — Tackle a grueling climb up a steep hill during the heat of a cross-country battle?

Not a problem for Abbey Leonardi.

Traipse through solitary training run for miles through rain, snow, and gloom of dusk on pathways around Kennebunk?

Piece of cake.

But, give an acceptance speech for a prestigious award in front of a gym full of her KHS schoolmates?

That’s where she strays out of her comfort zone.

“That’s probably a fair statement,” said Lynda Leonardi, Abbey’s mother. “Probably a very fair statement. Her natural demeanor is (to be) relatively quiet.”

Nonetheless, Leonardi negotiated those twists and turns the way she would ruts on a darkened trail ”“ with nary a stumble ”“ as she received the Athlete of the Month Award from the National High School Coaches Association for October.

“I’m just really thankful and honored that they chose me,” said Leonardi. “Out of everyone they could have picked. I was definitely shocked, because out of the six (nominees), I was the only junior. I thought they were going to pick a senior.”

Still, she confessed, “I definitely don’t like the attention.”

Which may be why such a solitary sport is such a perfect fit for her.

Lots of alone time.

Just her and the next stride ahead.

Oh, and the rest of the field, usually straggling far behind her.

“For whatever reason,” said Lynda, “this sport brings out the best in her.”

Which has also been the best in Maine ever since she stepped onto the trail.

Three Class A state championships in three years. Plus several more distance titles during the Spring outdoor track season, which she uses to stay in tune.

She cruised to this year’s title with nearly 15 seconds to spare, an eon in the world of cross country.

“The first couple years,” said Kennebunk cross country coach Mike Dinehart, “were somewhat overwhelming. She was young. Abbey’s grown into this beautifully. She has a clear vision of what she’s doing. Anytime she finishes a race, she’s there to congratulate people. To her, running is a very positive passion.”

It’s also an education, which she plans to put to good use as she prepares for the upcoming Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, an event that attracts elite high school runners from across the country.

Last year, Leonardi finished second in the Northeast Region qualifier on her way to a very respectable, 22nd place showing in the National.

With this year’s Regional race dead ahead this weekend on Long Island, Leonardi said her mental approach will be a little sharper this time around.

“There are definitely a lot of things I would do differently,” she said. “Last year, I (don’t) think I was all there. Everything was new, so I was like ‘oh, whatever’. Then, once the race came, it was, ‘oh, oh. It’s here’. There was a scavenger hunt and we were running around the hotel. But I’m definitely going to sit this one out and rest.”

A strong finish this weekend will qualify Leonardi for her second trip to the national, to be held Dec. 11 in San Diego.

— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.