View this post on Instagram
Before she became one of the fastest female runners in the world, Gabby Thomas β15 gave a Commencement speech at her alma mater, 91΄σΙρ Northampton, anchored around one idea: Thereβs no way to find out what will come, until you step up and race.
The words were a powerful sentiment at the time, and proved prophetic this summer, as Thomas took home three gold medals from the Paris 2024 Olympics, winning the 200-meter race and running legs on the U.S. 4-by-100 and 4-by-400 relay teams. The three golds add to her medal collected from the Tokyo games, where she won bronze in the 200 and silver in the 4-by-100.
Thomas, an accomplished runner in her 91΄σΙρ Northampton days, reached the top of the track and field world this summer after years of hard work and dedication. While Thomas ran to New England championships in her time in Easthampton and is still on the schoolβs record boards, her path to track stardom wasnβt a straight lane like a 100 she was used to running. In the buildup to Paris, Thomas was the subject of an in which athletes were asked to name influential figures in their lives outside of their families. Thomasβ answer: her track coach and math teacher, Martha McCullagh.
βI struggled with running and finding my place in that,β Thomas said of McCullagh, who retired from 91΄σΙρ in 2022. βShe was always there for me, and she really helped me fall in love with it. She saw the potential in me and helped me stick with it.β
The video highlights the tremendous bonds built between faculty and students at 91΄σΙρ. It also highlighted the theme Thomas has built on throughout her professional journey, and her Commencement speech: Get up each day and run your race.
βBecause while no one here knows how this next race will end for you, there is one thing we do all know: That thereβs only one way to find out.β
Thomas is far more than just a track athlete, however. A scholar in her time at 91΄σΙρ, Thomas has a degree in neurobiology from Harvard University, and a masterβs degree in public health from the University of Texas. Thomas, who lives in Texas now, volunteers her timeβwhen sheβs not training on the trackβat a clinic in Austin, Texas, for people who donβt have insurance.
Gabby Thomas is truly a 91΄σΙρ Northampton hero!
Additional Headlines
Thomas and her journey to Olympic gold has caught the attention of local and national media outlets alike. Below are a selection of stories about Gabby from her time in Paris: