Stunning Season for Lopez-Pitts
By Joe Reardon
December 2003

        This is fair warning to those athletes who will be competing against Mashpee's Roscell Lopez-Pitts in the coming days and weeks. Don't let the quiet, unassuming persona of the talented Mashpee High senior lull you into a false sense of security. Once Lopez-Pitts takes his place at the starting line or stands at the end of the runway, peering at the long jump pit, that "persona" changes dramatically.

"He's very unassuming but he hates to lose," said Mashpee High coach Bob Glennon. "There's nothing he thinks he can't do and he doesn't bat an eyelash doing it. He covers the gamet. Roscell can do just about everything. We've been going through the season focusing down the road." Take last Saturday's Coaches Invitational meet for example. Lopez-Pitts set a personal best in the long jump at 22 feet, 2-3/4 inches to clinch first place in, arguably, the most competitive meet of the indoor season. Lopez-Pitts smashed his previous mark of 21-6 with the jump and was named the outstanding field events athlete for his efforts at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center. Lopez-Pitts' performance came as no surprise to those familiar with his talents; Most notably the rest of the Patriot League.

Last year's league MVP, Lopez-Pitts is a shoo-in to capture the award again this winter. So far this season, Lopez-Pitts has dominated nearly every event he has competed in with league bests in the long jump (20-8-1/2), 300 meters (36.7) and 600 (1:24.6). He's also run 2:52.6 in the 1,000 and high jumped 5-11. In the 4x800 relay, Lopez-Pitts blazed through an impressive 2:01 leg. It's the high jump that looks to be the most intriguing of all events for observers of Lopez-Pitts' talents because he doesn't give it a second thought. After "jogging" through his 2:52 in the 1,000, Glennon said Lopez-Pitts went directly to the high jump pit "took a few stretches" and proceeded to clear 5-9 with ease. "He just went out and did it," said Glennon, matter of factly. Lopez-Pitts attempted 6-1 at the beginning of the season and just barely missed. The event, though, doesn't even make a blip on the radar screen on his "to do" list. He has other aspirations for the season, most notably, leading Mashpee to a Class D title. "Right now we're trying to win the Class D meet," said Lopez-Pitts. "And personally, I'd like to win the state meet in the long jump."

Glennon will be penciling in Lopez-Pitts in the high jump at either the league meet or the Patriot League vs. Atlantic Coast League showdown to garner points for Mashpee in the team scoring. So does Glennon expect Lopez-Pitts to make a fuss about the move? Not on your life. The team and his fellow teammates have always come first for his top athlete and Lopez-Pitts has never been one to draw attention to himself or his accomplishments on the track. "At the McIntyre Relays I pulled him out of the long jump to qualify a couple of other kids (for the Class D meet)," said Glennon. "He just said, 'OK coach' without batting an eyelash. He doesn't look to dominate something."

It's little wonder that Lopez-Pitts has become a genuine role model among his teammates. "Everybody tries to model themselves after him because he's just so good at things," Glennon said. "He'll back off in his workouts to get the other kids to work as hard as they can. He entices the kids to run with him. "You couldn't ask for more from a kid. His disposition is outstanding." Glennon has little doubt that Lopez-Pitts can crack the 22-foot barrier in the long jump. And with his natural jumping ability, "God only knows what he can do in the hurdles," Glennon said. "He doesn't put pressure on himself and stays focused on what he has to do. He just has a lot of natural ability. When he was a ninth and 10th grader, he had this great kick. It's not as noticeable now because he's more experienced and runs move evenly in his races."

Lopez-Pitts is eyeing the University of Connecticut and Northeastern after he winds up his high school career this spring. Glennon honestly doesn't know what the future holds for Lopez-Pitts. He has coached dozens of solid high school athletes in both cross country and college. Many have gone on to be successful collegiate athletes while others have taken different paths. He knows just how much of a radical change the college experience can be. "Academics come first," said Glennon. "If he runs and does well in college, good luck. It's up to them (kids) what they want to do in college. Does he have the potential to go to college and become a great athlete? Absolutely."