High achievers both in the classroom and their respective athletic venues, North Reading distance running star Lindsay MacLellan and Essex Tech baseball standout Ben Condon have been named the Moynihan Lumber Student-Athletes of the Month for May.
MacLellan recently wrapped up a standout junior year in which she emerged as one of the top distance runners in the state. The Hornet star recently won the Division 3 championship in the 2-mile (11:20.67), helping North Reading capture its fourth consecutive Division 3 title, and went on to place 11th at All-States (11:23.34).
The three-sport captain also qualified for New Balance Outdoor Nationals in the steeplechase in her first time ever competing in the event, and was a Cape Ann League champion in three events (2-mile, 11:05.84; mile, 5:18.31; 4×800, 2:30).
MacLellan’s recent performance was only the latest in a dominant school year. She also won the CAL title and placed second at the Division 4 EMass meet in cross country and was a two-time CAL champ and third-place finisher in the mile during the indoor season.
“The greatest thing about the distance in the CAL is all the distance girls are super friendly with one another,” MacLellan said. “So those friendships have kept me in love with the sport and made me want to keep pushing myself.”
MacLellan has been around track her whole life. Her mother coached at North Reading when she was young, and her earliest experience with the sport involved jumping over hurdles wearing Ugg boots at age five. She always assumed she would do hurdles when she got older, but discovered she was better as a distance runner once in middle school.
In the classroom, MacLellan maintains a 3.92 GPA and is a member of North Reading High’s Student Leadership and Mentoring program, which helps incoming freshmen make the transition from middle school to high school. She’s currently undecided on her college plans, though she hopes to run in college and study some form of business.
“I’m one to make time for both, once track ends after school, academics start for me,” she said. “It’s become a priority to make sure school gets done before I go out with my friends, so making academics a priority has contributed a lot to my success.”
Condon, a senior centerfielder who helped lead Essex Tech to a 12-10 season and an appearance in the Division 3 North state tournament, was one of the North Shore’s most productive all-around players this spring. Heading into Sunday’s game, he had 25 hits, 21 runs, a home run and 23 steals, which was best in the region covered by the nearby Salem News.
“My dad got me into baseball when I was like three and I’ve always loved it,” said Condon, who lives in Danvers. “I never really thought about taking any years off or stop playing.”
Condon has been named a Commonwealth Athletic Conference All-Star, and was also an All-Star wide receiver on the Essex Tech football team. Academically, he’s maintained a 3.5 GPA and plans to attend Texas Tech in the fall. Once there, he plans to study petroleum engineering in hopes of carving out a career in the oil industry.
“My brother works in the oil industry and he showed me a lot about it and I thought it was interesting,” said Condon, who has also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.
