3 x 1 Champion: Winthrop Track Star Nick Cappuccio Claims Three Division 5 State Titles

Even the public address announcer couldn’t keep up with the pure speed and athleticism of Winthrop High School junior Nick Cappuccio at the MIAA Division 5 State Championships. As Cappuccio entered the starting blocks in the 200-meter final at Bridgewater State University last Friday, the PA announcer had just begun to introduce the eight competitors.

By the time Cappuccio was officially announced as the Lane 5 entrant, the 6-foot, 185-pound athlete was blazing around the turn and exploding over the final 10 meters to the finish line for a victory and the first of his three state titles. “I guess we started before he introduced everyone,” said Cappuccio. Cappuccio’s winning time in the 200-meters was 22.63 seconds. “I felt I had a good shot of winning and I thought it would be close,  but in the last 10 meters, I knew I had it,” said Cappuccio, who was the undefeated NEC 200-meter champion this season. But Cappuccio wasn’t done rewriting the Winthrop record books. He returned to Bridgewater Sunday for the 100-meter races and the long-jump event and completed an unprecedented achievement for a Winthrop High trackman: a trio of individual divisional state titles. Cappuccio’s margin of victory in the 100-meter final was 0.01 seconds as he edged out Joel Spaulding of Pentucket Regional, 11.21 seconds to 11.22 seconds. “At the beginning of the race, I was losing, but then I won it at the very end,” said Cappuccio. “I did not know I had won right away. I went over to the timer, and it was fun to find out.” He became an elite triple-crowner when he took first place in the long jump with an effort of 21 feet, 10.5 inches. Cappuccio talked about the immense challenge of having to basically compete in two events almost simultaneously. “I did two of my long jumps. Then I had to go over for the 100-meter trials [semifinals]. I did my last four long jumps and then it was on to the 100-meter final,” he related. Asked about his historic feat, Cappuccio said it exceeded his own expectations. “I surpassed my goal. My plan was to try to get at least one [title], but obviously three is better, I guess,” he said humbly. Cappuccio came into the state-level meets having broken the all-time WHS 100-meter outdoor track record held by Steven Staffier, who like Cappuccio, was an All-Scholastic running back and sprinter [for legendary coach Patricia McGee.]. “I’ve learned a lot about Steven Staffier and what an amazing athlete and competitor he was,” said Cappuccio. “Everyone’s told me how great he was in football.” The Cappuccio Contingent was out in full force at the Bridgewater State University stadium. “My parents [Gerry Cappuccio and Kathleen Riley Cappuccio], my nana [Peggy Riley], my papa [Lenny Riley], my auntie [Shannon Poulos] and my uncle [John Poulos] were there. I’m grateful for all their support.” Cappuccio was quick to thank his Winthrop coaches, boys head track coach Nik Beshere, girls track head coach Warren MacPhail, and assistant track/sprinting coach Nicole Giaquinto Diaz, a collegiate All-American at UMass/Lowell. “I’ve gotten the best training and coaching possible – it’s been awesome,” said Cappuccio. Cappuccio will begin competition in the All-State Meet today [Thursday] at Fitchburg State University.