By KATELYN BARTHOLOMEW
Journal Register News Service

WORCESTER — Gabby Becattini, a senior at Methacton High School, proves to be a very valuable jumper with a bright future ahead.

Becattini has been competing in both indoor and outdoor track and field at Methacton since her freshman year. She has and continues to participate in a variety of events during the winter and spring seaasons including triple jump, 60-meter hurdles, long jump, 4x200 relay, shuttle hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, and the 4x400 relay.

As a runner, Becattini has shined as an athlete, proving time after time how talented she is. Becattini has been recognized as one of the best in Pennsylvania in the triple jump. She holds the school record in the event for both the indoor (37-11.5) and outdoor (38-6.75) track and field seasons. She and her shuttle hurdle relay teammates also set the school record (35.84 seconds) last year and placed fifth in the nation at the Nike Indoor National Championships.

She’s also part of the school’s record-setting 4x100 relay team in the spring (49.04).

This season, Becattini has qualified for the Delaware Valley Meet of Champions in the long jump, 60-meter hurdles, and the 4x200 relay, the State Championship Meet in the long jump, triple jump, and the 4x200 relay, and also the National Championships in both the Triple Jump and as a member of the shuttle hurdle relay team.

Currently, she ranks first in the state in the triple jump and 14th nationally.

“Her biggest accomplishment has been qualifying for the State Championships in each of her seven seasons as a track and field athlete (four seasons during indoor and three during outdoor), but each came with their own struggles,” said Methacton track and field coach Rob Ronzano. “Any athlete has their ‘ups’ and ‘downs,’ but her ability to bounce back after setbacks is what makes her such a strong athlete.”

As for Becattini herself, she believes that placing fifth at the Nike National Meet has been her biggest accomplishment in track, and just being able to keep her grades up in school has been an accomplishment in itself, but she did say as of now, she does not feel that she has had a greatest accomplishment yet in life.

Becattini is recognized as an asset also by her teammates.

They selected her as one of the captains for the current 2010-2011 season. “We are very fortunate to have a number of talented athletes in our program. All of them realize through athletes like Gabby and the other captains, that regardless of talent, hard work is a necessity,” said Coach Ronzano. One thing that Coach Ronzano made clear was how crucial Becattini’s attitude and dedication has become to the track team. “With any athlete, a competitive attitude is vital. Gabby’s strength is that she has learned the work ethic it takes on a daily basis in order to excel which has led her to a great deal of success,” mentioned Ronzano. Her ability to stay focused and put her best foot forward has encouraged the team to do the same. “I have seen her work with some of the young girls that will be apart of the team after she graduates, and I see the respect they give her,” he said.

Becattini’s talent and constant stand out performances not only draw attention to her, but also illustrates the respect she earns from other athletes either competing along side of her, or simply trying to learn from her success.

“Becattini is a unique kid with a sense of humor who likes to enjoy life,” said Ronzano. “She is very competitive on the track and in the field, but you don’t always see that when she is not involved in sports. She has a life off the track.”

Becattini added that when she is not in school or on the track, she is usually with friends.

“I just like to relax and have a good time,” she said.

One thing her coach did not fail to mention was the incredible support system she has behind her every step of the way.

“Gabby has a great family and one that supports her in everything that she does,” said Ronzano.

Not only a star on the track, but also in her everyday life.

“Gabby is a driven individual who can be as demanding on others as she is on herself,” said Ronzano. “She is a leader,”

He went on to explain that Becattini is self-motivated.

“Her motivation serves as an incentive to the people around her to also work hard and put in their best at all times.”

Becattini talked about how determined she is as a competitor which she uses to push herself on the track.

“I hate losing,” she said. “In a race, if I am behind I will push myself to try to pass whoever is in front of me.”

It is her drive and want to succeed that helps her do so on such a high level.

As for her future, her coach weighs in and talks about his hopes for one of his star athletes.

“First and foremost, Gabby is a jumper. She can be very good at hurdles as well,” he said. “She has had an outstanding high school career and still has five months to make it even better. That is where my focus is right now with her.”

As for college, her coach said was an easy question for him to answer.

“I want her to end up where she is happy,” said Ronzano.

He talked about the change a person goes through during the transition from high school to college and how unpredictable futures become because what once was such a huge part of a person’s life can easily change during growth and transformation. Becattini mentioned that she is still unsure as to where she would like to attend college, but her focus is on a school that has a great academic program. She did also mention that she hopes to major in education.

“Regardless of the size of the school or the size of the program, Gabby will be a success if she is happy,” said coach Ronzano.

Gabby Becattini is one of the area’s standout athletes in track and field and definitely has a bright future ahead. Her work ethic and competitive spirit are what makes her who she is and contributes to her ability to stand out so well. What exactly her future holds remains a mystery, however along with her coaches, teammates, fans, and supporters she is sure to continue on and do great things.