Senior Spotlight - Men's Track & Field
When athletic competition for the spring sports was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, collegiate teams across the country were prevented from honoring their seniors with traditional Senior Day/Night presentations.
During the next few weeks, GoRegisPride.com will recognize the Regis College seniors in men's and women's lacrosse, softball, men's and women's tennis, and men's and women's track and field. These articles will be posted close to the date of the scheduled senior ceremony. This spotlight on men's track and field falls on the same date of the Senior Day presentation scheduled to take place after the Regis Spring Classic.
The Regis College men's track and field team would like to honor three student-athletes who have played a significant role in the improvement of the program to become one of the annual contenders within the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. JJ Pedersen (Milford, Conn.), Nicholas Sahagian (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), and Jovan Sematimba (Burlington, Mass.) helped the Pride win the GNAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 2018.
JJ PEDERSEN
JJ has been a member of the track & field team for three years. In that time, JJ has blossomed as a team leader during the 2019-20 season, leading by example in everything that he does. His love and passion for the sport is seen every day by his teammates and coaches.
As a freshman, JJ placed second in both the 1500 meter run and the 5000 meter run at the 2018 GNAC Outdoor Championships, helping his team earn their first-ever GNAC title.
This past winter, JJ spent his final indoor season with the Pride rewriting the school record books. He currently holds individual school records in the 1000 meter run, one mile run, 3000 meter run, and 5000 meter run, plus he is part of the school record in the distance medley relay. At the 2020 GNAC Indoor Championships, JJ placed third in the mile and was the anchor leg of the distance medley relay team that finished fifth overall.
JJ has made a name for himself as one of the most decorated male athletes in Regis track & field history. His work ethic and strong leadership will be greatly missed. JJ is completing his bachelor's degree in exercise science in just three years and will be attending the University of Evansville next year to pursue his master's degree in athletic training.
NICHOLAS SAHAGIAN
Nick has been member of the track & field team for three years. One of our seven team leaders, Nick has shown great growth in his leadership over the past year.
As a sophomore, Nick placed third in the 10,000 meter run and was a member of the 4x800 relay team that placed second at the 2018 GNAC Outdoor Championships, helping his team earn their first-ever GNAC title.
As a senior, Nick posted personal-best times in every event he competed in throughout the regular season, starting with a time of 9:27.56 in the 3000 meter run at Tufts University. He finished fourth in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:07.42 at the Panther Invitational, and then he posted a time of 4:42.59 in the one mile run at the GNAC Indoor Championships.
Nick currently holds two indoor school records for the Pride in the 4x800 meter relay and the distance medley relay. Nick's hard work and team personality will be greatly missed. Nick will graduate in May with a degree in business management.
JOVAN SEMATIMBA
Jovan has been a member of the track & field team for four years, becoming one of the most successful track & field athletes in program history. Jovan currently holds four outdoor school records at Regis: the 1500 meter run, one mile run, 3000 meter run, and as part of the 4x800 meter relay.
As a sophomore, Jovan won the 1500 meter run, finished second in the 800 meter run, and was a member of the men's 4x800 meter relay that placed second overall the 2018 GNAC Outdoor Championships, helping his team earn their first-ever GNAC title. At the 2019 GNAC Outdoor Championships, Jovan placed second in the 1500 meter run and fifth in the 800 meter run, plus he was a member of the men's 4x800 relay that placed third overall.
In his time at Regis, Jovan has won three major awards at the annual Regis Athletics Awards Ceremony. Jovan received the Outstanding Freshman Student-Athlete Award in 2017, the Outstanding Sophomore Student-Athlete Award in 2018, and the Outstanding Junior Student-Athlete Award in 2019.
Jovan's dedication to the sport and outstanding leadership will be greatly missed. Jovan will graduate in May with a degree in nursing.