Governor's Teams
Athletics at The Governor’s Academy is about outstanding performance- as our championship titles, college NCAA scholarship players, and world competitors will attest- but it is also about character.
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Team Profile
Track & Field, Outdoor - Boys Varsity
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ISL Champions
2016 Alex Berzansky - High Hurdles
2016 Liam McDonough - 800m
2015 Tyler Harrington - Javelin
New England Champions (Division II):
2016 Alex Berzansky - 110 HH, 300 IH
2015, 2014 Tyler Harrington - Javelin
2012 Nick Rogers - Pole Vault
With a team philosophy focused on trust in the process, Boys Outdoor Track & Field is one of the largest teams on campus. Coaches monitor each athlete’s performance, whether in throwing, sprinting, jumping, or long distance. As a team, they celebrate outstanding performers following every competition. The program takes pride in its past by maintaining accurate Top Ten lists for each event. Additionally, practices are intentionally inclusive as junior varsity and varsity, male and female athletes warm up, work out, and cool down together every afternoon on the 8-lane, Bennett H. Beach ‘67 Track. With five full-time coaches, the track and field staff ensures that every athlete receives personalized attention as they design specialized training programs for each event.
Averaging about sixty-five athletes, the Boys and Girls Track & Field team competes in six to eight meets from early April through mid-May and hosts at least three meets in Byfield. The season culminates with Govs competing at the ISL Championships and the New England Championships (Division II) during the final two weekends of the season.
The track and field program welcomes any student interested in challenging themselves in running, jumping, or throwing to join the team. The program has been a catalyst for many Governor’s students to pursue successful track and field careers at the collegiate level across all three NCAA divisions. The program believes in the importance of multi-sport athletes within the Governor’s community.
For more information, please reach out to Head Coach Steven Suomi.
Alums in Action:
Tre Williams ‘22 - Tufts University
Brady Quin ‘21 - Connecticut College
Andrew Swiniarski ‘19 - Lafayette College
Coaches
Coach Profiles
Head Coach: Steve Suomi
A native of Midcoast Maine, Steve Suomi ran the intermediate hurdles and the 4x400 relay throughout high school and at Colby College. While at Colby, Suomi was the captain of the team, and he was NESCAC and New England DIII Champion in the 400 hurdles. Eager to work with high schoolers serious about their athletic and academic endeavors, Suomi arrived at Govs in 2007 as an English teacher, dorm parent, and track coach. After two years coaching pole vault and intermediate hurdles, Suomi became the program’s head coach. His favorite part of coaching is watching student-athletes improve throughout the two-month spring season and over the course of their four-year career, and he believes in hard work and determination in both academics and athletics can unlock new potential in high schoolers. Suomi is a USA Track and Field Level I and Level II certified coach. An avid cyclist, Suomi is now the head of the English Department and the director of the French Student Center.
Assistant Coach: Mark Gerry
A standout track and field athlete in high school, Mark Gerry works with the team’s throwers. Before joining the track and field program, Gerry led the Governor’s football team to four ISL titles and three New England Championships over his eighteen years as the head coach. Currently, he teaches mathematics and supervises the evening study hall.
Assistant Coach: Jeff Kelly
A distance-running aficionado, Jeff Kelly returned to his alma mater over twenty years ago and has served as a cross-country coach, Latin teacher, and dorm parent. As a master’s runner, he has led a tremendously successful career winning many area road races in the area. Kelly’s favorite part of coaching is building relationships with his athletes and supporting their progress through the season. He values Governor’s traditions and takes pride in building a program that will hopefully be a highlight of an athletes’ high school experience. Kelly is a USA Track and Field Level I certified coach. In addition to discovering new local running routes, Jeff enjoys gardening, yard work, and ample outdoor time with his dogs.
Assistant Coach: Raymond Long ‘96
Now in his seventeenth year coaching Governor’s track and field, Ray Long focuses on the long jump, triple jump, high jump, and pole vault. While a student at the Academy, Long competed in the long jump, triple jump, 100 meters, and 4x100 meter relay. He took his talents and passion to Dartmouth College, where he competed in the javelin and triple jump for the Big Green. In addition to his role as Director of Financial Aid and Associate Director of Admission, Long is a dorm head and advisor.
Assistant Coach: Andrew DeSalvo
A New England Division III champion shot put thrower and MVP for Williams College, Andrew DeSalvo believes the lessons learned in athletics reinforce and, at times, transcend what can be taught in the classroom. In his role as outdoor track and football coach, DeSalvo appreciates the opportunity to develop student-athletes through sports that have meant so much to him. In particular, he gravitates to the individual component of track and field, encouraging athletes to continually strive for personal growth by keeping track of their personal records. DeSalvo is a USA Track and Field Level I certified coach. He is a dorm head and advisor, and teaches mathematics and economics.
Assistant Coach: Tori Davis
A multi-sport athlete in high school, a one time marathon runner, and a former sprint triathlete, Tori Davis loves to foster growth among student-athletes. Firmly believing that students can be both academics and athletes, Davis enjoys the competitive spirit and the sense of accomplishment and resilience that comes with competition. While she loves team sports, her coaching experience and personal success has been through individual sports like alpine skiing and outdoor track and field. Currently, she is a dorm parent and teaches English.