Lynn’s Jack Simpson never runs alone

Jack Simpson never runs alone.
“My father had in accident in 2010 that left him in a wheelchair,” said Simpson. “So I run for him. During those long races, it keeps me going. I’m running for two people now.”
Simpson, the 21-year-old Lynn native, just finished his fourth season of cross-country at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. His hard work earned him the team’s “Senior Award,” recognizing an athlete’s leadership, loyalty and dedication to his team.
“I’m definitely glad to be recognized for my commitment, but I want everyone to know where it comes from,” said Simpson, the cross-country captain. “It comes from my heart, and it comes from my parents. My parents have taught me so much, and what I’ve learned from them has really helped me grow as a person.”
Simpson?s father, Tom, a high school baseball umpire and past president of the North Shore Baseball Umpires Association, was paralyzed in February 2011 after he slipped and fell while walking to his car after buying his supper on his way to work. Still, he and his wife, Joanne, went to all their son?s football games while he was at St. Mary?s.
Now a business administration major at Salve, Simpson grew up attending St. Pius before graduating from St. Mary’s in 2010.
“I’ve had some really great experiences in school, which helped teach me the importance of staying committed,” said Simpson. “I had a pretty solid group of guys I hung out with at St. Mary’s, and we’re still pretty close. I went to the pep rally on Wednesday morning, and it was great to talk to my teachers and Coach (Matt) Durgin. It almost felt like I’d never left.”
Simpson played football at St. Mary’s, but breathed new life into Salve’s cross country program. When he arrived, he was one of only four men on the team.Last year?s team finished third in the Commonwealth Coast Conference and 31st in regionals — the highest, respectively, for each since the program was restarted in 2005.
“Even though we started small, it’s been great to help build up the program,” said Simpson, adding there are now 21 runners on the men’s team. “It’s great to see the program grow, but that’s not something you can do alone. I’m really thankful for my teammates and coaches.”
Transitioning from football to cross country was not easy. The mental aspect of running proved to be the most challenging for Simpson.
“When it comes to running, you are constantly tested mentally,” he said. “The stress of running is at such a high level, especially when you’re racing. You don’t get a break when you’re running. The mental aspect is just incredible, and the transition I learned from football is you have to stay committed and never give up.”
Simpson, who is also a member of Salve?s club rugby and swimming teams, is considering pursuing an MBA in his post-baccalaureate journey. For now, however, he remains in a state of peaceful happiness whenever he laces up his sneakers and pushes himself on another grueling run. He finished first in his age group and second overall in yesterday’s snow-covered ?18-Hole Par 70 5K? race at Gannon Golf Course.
“Every time I run, I think of a quote from [legendary runner Steve] Prefontaine,” said Simpson. “And that is, ‘To give anything less than our best is to sacrifice the gift.’
“I’ve been thinking about that throughout my senior year. Not everyone recognizes the gifts they have. For me, it’s being physical and running. I see those gifts in my teammates and friends, and I wish everybody else could see that in themselves.”