Charger Sports Spotlight: Daniel Labrie By;Tyler Garnet

This edition of Charger Sports Spotlight features Daniel Labrie, a freshman who is a mechanical

engineering major. After college, Labrie wants to design and invent new types of cars. He is

from North New Jersey and is a runner for the University of New Haven’s men’s track team. He

agrees that there is no such thing as central Jersey for those who live in Jersey.

If there is one word that would describe Labrie as a competitor it would be “fearless” according

to him. He is not afraid of the physical pain that comes from running. He takes part in many

different runs including the 400,600 and 800 meter run along with the mile run. Labrie is up to

any challenge that running may bring.

Labrie first got involved in track during his freshman year of high school. He used to play soccer

during high school but ended up not liking it after his coach was “not good” according to Labrie.

Labrie’s dad wanted him to do a sport and Labrie said “since I am not tall I realized I could not

do basketball so my Dad said I was going to run.” Labrie was on the fence at first because he

never understood “how people ran for fun” but once he started he fell in love with the sport.

Labrie's love for the sport has only grown since coming to the University of New Haven because

of all of his teammates on the track team. “I am extremely close with everyone on the team and

between practices and meets I have gained a sense of family and closeness with the team.”

Labrie is technically in season right now and his main goal for this semester is to get back to the

level he was at in high school. Between quarantine and lockdown Labrie wants to get back into

the swing of things with running and get back to how fast he was in high school.

One of Labrie’s favorite memories from high school is running the 4 by 4 relay and how loud the

crowd got as soon as the race began. He went to Union Catholic and that was the main sport of

the school so every meet was intense. “The feeling of being on the 4 by 4 at the end of the meet

for a conference championship and you're leading off and hearing everyone scream and having

the entire stadium rumbling” Labrie says.

He is hoping that the Covid-19 pandemic will get under control so that he can experience

crowds like that again at college. If there is one thing this pandemic has taught Labrie it would

be to “enjoy the little moments and enjoy being in the moment as well. The world is constantly

changing so enjoy it while it lasts.” Besides Covid-19 making his transition to college a little

challenging, Labrie is grateful for the opportunity and is excited to continue improving in track

and making more lasting memories at the school.