For their accomplishments both in the classroom and in their respective athletic endeavors, seniors Sydney Trout of Pentucket track and lacrosse and Nate Rosen of Marblehead swimming have been chosen as the Moynihan Lumber Student-Athletes of the Month for December.
For Trout, two life lessons act as guiding lights.
- Surround yourself with good people.
- Always stay busy.
It was back in middle school that Trout made a handful of good friends that were just as competitive with each other in sports, as they were in the classroom — and she hasn’t gotten a final grade lower than an “A” since. The Duke lacrosse commit boasts a 4.56 GPA, and is ranked 10th in her senior class of 150. She’s taking two AP classes this year, psychology and literature, and over her high school career credits anatomy teacher Matthew Lovett, English teacher Andy Casey and psychology teacher Ruth Beaton for being major positive influences.
“Since 8th-grade, I haven’t gotten below an A,” laughed Trout. “I can’t handle getting an A- on my report card! All of my friends are super competitive academically, so we’ve developed really good work ethic between us. Having those influences has been really positive, we all love to see each other succeed.”
And recently, having those “good people” around her led to breaking a 23-year-old Pentucket track record.
Trout missed all of last winter season as well as lacrosse season with a torn ACL, but made her return this winter with the school’s 55-meter-dash record in mind. At last week’s Cape Ann League meet, she was lined up next to North Reading phenom Giuliana Ligor, and having that talent next to her helped push Trout to cross in a blazing time of 7.32. That broke the previous Pentucket record, set by Ashley Moulton back in 2002 (7.33).
“Breaking the record was definitely a goal coming into the year,” said Trout. “I’ve always more used track to keep up my conditioning for lacrosse. But being the first sport coming back from my ACL, it’s been so nice to be back on a set schedule. Coming back from a year-long recovery, you really appreciate the sport so much more. I’m so grateful to be back.”
Trout is also a member of the National Honors Society, Global Language National Honors Society, Science National Honors Society and Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D) — while serving as a coach for youth soccer and lacrosse leagues in town. During the winter she works at The Poynt restaurant in Newburyport, then in the summer she switches over to pick up shifts at the Sunset Club on Plum Island.
“I will absolutely go nuts if I’m not doing anything,” laughed Trout. “I’m always just trying to work to get better at something.”
For Rosen, being a senior captain has taken on a whole new meaning.
Over the first three years of his Marblehead High career, Rosen was mainly focused on posting the best possible times he could in his main events: The freestyles and the relays. And, yeah, that was something he was pretty good at, as the Salem News All-Star has posted stellar career-best times in the 50 free (23.5), 100 free (50.8), 200 free (1:50.88) and 500 free (5:10.21).
And it’s not like that’s not a goal for this year, too.
Rosen has already qualified for the Division 1 State Championship meet in the 500 free, and over a handful of his teammates have done the same in various other events. But now as a captain, with the inevitable end to his high school swimming career drawing closer, a new goal has risen to the forefront.
“I want to leave the team better than I found it,” said Rosen. “The clearest goal I had for myself was making States. But since I’m a captain, I really wanted to lean into having more fun with the team this year. I wanted to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves and loving the sport.”
Safe to say that attitude of excellence has translated over to the classroom.
With a sparkling 4.56 GPA, Rosen sits near the top of his Marblehead senior class. His five AP classes this year can certainly be challenging at times, especially Calculus and Physics, but he’s found that even the lessons learned in those two can go hand-in-hand. And when he gets that “ah-ha!” moment when a lesson finally clicks, for him there’s no better feeling.
“I’ve always tried to do the best I could in school,” said Rosen, who still looks back fondly on Mr. Fu’s computer science class as his favorite. “I’ve always showed up at school wanting to learn something, and looking back that’s the mindset that gets me through when I have like six tests in a row. I love feeling like I’ve achieved something mentally.”
Outside of class, the schedule is just as busy.
Rosen is the co-President of the National Spanish Honors Society, volunteers for the Marblehead Conservancy to help clean up the town’s woods and beaches, and also teaches swimming and lifeguards at the Marblehead JCC. Ideally he would like to continue swimming at the college level, but is still working through his plans after applying to various NESCAC schools.
“I’ve been used to this routine for a long time now,” said Rosen. “It forced me at a young age to learn how to handle my time. During high school season it definitely is harder to juggle. But I just try to get ahead as often as possible, and get homework done during open periods during the school day.”
