Student-Athlete of the Week: Mary Gillett

Niwot junior Mary Gillett wrapped up her breakout junior track season by leading her team to second place at the Class 4A state championships held May 20-21.

Gillett captured two individual state titles during the weekend, in the 200-and 400-meter races, both with personal best times. She also took second in the long jump and 100-meter dash, accounting for 36 of Niwot’s 83 team points.

Gillett blew away most of her 4A competition during the regular season, as she led her team to six meet titles, including an eighth straight Boulder County Invitational title, where she was awarded both the Most Outstanding Performance and the girls Most Valuable Athlete.

Focused and tireless in training, Niwot head track coach Maurice Henriques notes that Gillett is the perfect role model for the underclassman.

“In 2015, Mary Gillett ran a 65 [in the 400-meter dash]. Two years later, she’s almost at 56 flat. The only way you’re going to do that is putting in constant work,” he explained. “That gets passed down to our young ones. They’re all looking at the way she trains and the way she brings it.”

Off the track, Gillett maintains a 4.3 GPA in Niwot’s demanding IB program. Though academics and athletics are often a tough balancing act, she says track helps her manage the stress that comes with the strenuous IB workload and testing.

“It’s definitely a challenge, for sure,” explained Gillett, who is also a forward on Niwot’s varsity basketball team. “But there are a lot of girls on the team in the IB program, so it’s nice to have that support. It definitely means some late nights, but we get it done.”

This summer, Gillett will split her time between training with the track team and basketball camp. As for her plans after high school, Gillett would like to study physical therapy or nutrition but is hoping just to make it through her senior year first.