Although senior runner Connor Pulvidente is a member of the Geneseo cross country and track and field teams, he certainly does not limit himself to just running; Pulvidente’s natural athleticism draws him to a wide variety of sports and activities.
Pulvidente has experience playing other traditional sports such as soccer, football and lacrosse. Outside of these sports, however, Pulvidente can be found surfing, skiing and sailing. Pulvidente is a native of Centerport—a small town on the north shore of Long Island, which makes water activities easily accessible.
“I surf when I’m home ... ski during the breaks and read just about anything and everything that I can,” Pulvidente said.
Pulvidente’s interest in sports began at a very young age when his parents signed him up for a youth soccer league. Athleticism runs in his family; his sister Katie swam on the club swim team at SUNY Cortland, his sister Sydney runs cross country and track and field for Binghamton University and his sister Avery currently swims at her high school in Harborfields, NY.
Pulvidente chose to attend Geneseo based on his experience during his recruiting trip.
“The guys on the team who were hosting me showed me a fun time,” Pulvidente said. “They were really great at selling the [great and pretty weird] culture of the team.”
Pulvidente specifically recognizes two individuals who greatly influenced his cross country career: head coach Dan Moore and Geneseo cross country alumnus Tim Mateer ‘15. Moore has had a significantly positive impact on Pulvidente’s personal fitness, according to Pulvidente. Mateer, who was a senior during Pulvidente’s freshman year, encouraged him to push his physical limits during practice.
“He convinced me to join him on the Mill Gully runs,” Pulvidente said. “Which is a twelve-mile loop when I was only trying to do six.”
The farthest Pulvidente has ever ran is 20 miles, when his friends got him lost on a run during the summer. Mill Gully—a dirt road popular among his cross country teammates—is his favorite place to run. At home, his favorite place to run is Belmont Lake State Park.
Although going for regular runs is important as a member of the cross country team, Pulvidente greatly values his health in general.
“I listen to my body, if it needs something like an easy day or more stretching I’ll do that,” Pulvidente said.
Additionally, Pulvidente takes two weeks off after each season to let his body reset from all of the work he put in.
His best experience at Geneseo so far was during his sophomore year when the team placed third at nationals.
“We just went nuts when we heard about that,” Pulvidente said. “Everything from the amount of driving that everyone not competing did to the cheering they give really sums up all the good about Geneseo.”
Pulvidente is an accounting major and hopes to eventually work as a police officer after he graduates. He is also looking forward to moving somewhere warm near a beach, as it will allow for him to continue surfing and sailing.
Senior runner Connor Pulvidente has proven to be a valuable asset to the Geneseo cross country and track and field teams. When he is not running, Pulvidente spends his time participating in a wide variety of sports such as surfing, sailing and skiing. (Ellayna Fredericks/Assoc. Photo Editor)