Men’s Track & Field: Gonsalves, Lane and Dalaba Shine on and off the Track

Pictured above from left to right is Troy Gonsalves, Ben Lane and Ryan Dalaba

Photos by: Shannon Hart

NEWTON, MA — Like many students at Lasell College Troy Gonsalves, Ben Lane and Ryan Dalaba are active members of various clubs, in addition to their role as athletes on the Men’s Track and Field team.

The trio got their start running Track and Field while in middle school, but didn’t seriously start competing until their high school careers. “Running has been a way for me to relive stress and acts as an escape from everything else that I have going on at the time,” said Lane, a junior from Rutland, VT.

Michael McGrane is the head coach of the Men’s Track and Field team, assisted by coaches Jeremy Shriber and Janice Sundqvist. "When Ben returned from his study abroad program and I had a chance to begin coaching him, I recognized right away his athletic talent and knowledge of the sport. Ben is a talented sprinter and a natural leader on the team as one of our captains,” said McGrane.

Lane and Gonsalves serve as captains of the Lasell College Men’s Track and Field team. “I am honored to be voted captain by my peers because that makes me happy that they see my commitment and dedication to the sport,” said Gonsalves, a senior from Providence, RI.

“Running has helped me through a lot. For example, I had an easier time making friends at Lasell because I was able to come early for preseason. Also, it has helped me stay focused on school because it was always a rule in my house that I could only participate in sports if I kept my grades high,” said Dalaba, a junior from North Granville, NY.

Gonsalves is a Residential Assistant of Bragdon Hall, the Vice President of Student Affairs on Student Government and is a Leadership Scholar. While Lane is a member of the Student Alumni Association, Lasell Says Thank you, Blue Key Society and participates in the Honors Program.

Dalaba is member of Student Government Association and works for the Lasell Athletic Department as Game Day Staff. “My involvement on campus has helped me meet a lot of great people and establish many great friendships. I have also learned a lot through the people I have met,” said Dalaba.

“Being heavily involved on campus has certainly made a positive impact on my time spent here at Lasell. Throughout my time spent here, I have been able to build various leadership skills, foster new relationships with students and faculty alike, and challenge myself in ways I didn’t think was possible. My involvements have made each year here very enjoyable for me and I am definitely going to cherish the times I have spent here,” said Gonsalves.

Lane works on campus in the Lasell College Admissions Office, while also completing an internship at the Boys and Girls Club in Newton. “Getting involved on campus has kept me very busy through my time at Lasell but it has also presented with a lot of opportunities to meet and interact with new people,” said Lane.

As of September, Gonsalves has been completing an internship with the Title IX Office. “My supervisors are Jennifer O’Keeffe and Professor Karin Raye, and I work with them mostly on providing education, prevention, and awareness regarding sexual assault and domestic violence,” said Gonsalves.”I have four order brothers. It was definitely chaotic in my household growing up, but it helped shape some of the aspects of how am I as a person.”

"Troy has an incredible work ethic. I'm impressed with his personal dedication as an athlete that goes beyond just running. He's really dedicated to doing the little things to improve and stay focused on his track event.” said McGrane.

The Men’s Track and Field team will compete at the first Great Northeast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships come this Spring. “My goals for the GNAC meet are to place in the top 5 for both the 100 and 200 meter dash, to try and help the team earn as many points in the meet as possible,” said Lane.

“I am simply looking to achieve a seasons best time at the GNAC Championships and score as many points as possible for the team.” Gonsalves has experienced most of the previous year injured and unable to keep up with quality and consistent training. “I am anticipating on competing in the 1500 meter and in the 800 meter events as well as running a leg on a relay, however, depending on how my training builds up and what times I end up hitting throughout the season the events I end up running at GNAC’s can change,” said Gonsalves.

Dalaba’s main goal for the GNAC Championships is to be in the best shape possible, giving himself the opportunity to win the 5,000 meter race. “Ryan has a quiet determination and dedication to his training and racing that is reflective of his leadership as one who leads by example. It's a pleasure to coach someone as dedicated as Ryan,” said Coach Michael McGrane.

“I spent three years volunteering as an ambulance driver and assistant to EMTs. I learned a lot about first aid and other medical knowledge that I would’ve otherwise not known. It was an exhausting experience as weekday shift would be from 6pm to midnight with either school or work the next morning or from 6pm to 6am on weekends, but it was an amazing experience and I’m glad I did it,” said Dalaba, when asked to share an interesting fact about himself.

Inspiration is a key with most aspects in life, especially when it comes to athletics. “There are several runners that I look up to, but I’d have to say Jenny Simpson is the one that I truly idolise the most. Not only is the number of medals she has racked up throughout the years she has obtained at major global track championships, but her consistency of being able to come through with clutch performances year after year is what is most impressive,” said Gonsalves.

”My favorite runner is, recently retired, Nick Symmonds. He has an amazing work ethic with sport and outside of sport. He also stresses that if something isn’t fun, it isn’t worth it. That mentality along with the success he had from that mindset has always reminded me to not put so much pressure on myself,” said Dalaba.

Lane credits his favorite professional runner as Jamaican Track and Field star, Usain Bolt. In his Track and Field career, Lane has raced against Jamaican Olympic sprinter, Asafa Powell.

To follow up with Lasers Track and Field throughout their season and their journey to the first ever GNAC Championships visit laser pride.lasell.edu.