Before Revere High School (RHS) Junior Gabe Stephens found track, he tried nearly every sport he could—swimming, gymnastics, diving, and football. None stuck however. What ultimately pushed him to commit to running wasn’t a love for the sport itself, but the competition within his own home.

“I just wanted to be better than my brothers. They both had their own sports they were good at, and I wanted a sport to be good at too,” Stephens said.

That mindset carried over to the track, where he embraced the challenge of sprinting. Over time, though, his role shifted. Moving from short sprints to mid-distance events pushed him physically and mentally, but the one thing that made it easier was the bond he built with his teammates.

“I enjoy the social aspect of track the most. The majority, if not all, of my close friends were made on the track team,” Stephens said.

Despite the friendships, track still came with difficult realizations.

“The biggest lesson I learned from track is that some people are just naturally better than others due to genetics. Sometimes it just comes down to what you’re born with,” Stephens said.

That does not stop Stephens from putting his all into improving.

“You can’t control genetics, but you can control how much work you put in,” Stephens said.

Now, as he continues to develop as a mid-distance runner, Stephens takes that lesson with him. He knows that natural talent plays a role, but he also understands that effort and discipline can help close the gap. Every practice, every tough workout, and every grueling race is a chance to outwork those around him–including his brothers.