Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Ioane Pa’u (Boys' Indoor Track)

Sophomore Ioane Pa’u is in his first year with the LHS indoor track team after running for Ayer-Shirley a year ago.  Ioane has already made an impression on his new coach Cathy Harris.

“He’s got a great attitude and ability to do whatever you throw at him,” Harris said.  “He qualified to compete in Divisionals.  “Not only can he throw, he ran the 55 hurdles, the 300 and jumped in when needed to run the 4x400.  I’m excited and looking forward to watching him in the seasons ahead.  (Ioane) is a nice kid and a team player.”

Ioane got into track because his father ran track when he was in high school.

“I decided to follow in his footsteps to keep the Pa’u tradition going,” Ioane said.  

“(What I like most) about track and field is the team spirit and the competitiveness because it helps (me) strive to be better and eventually be the best,” Ioane said.

Ioane said he likes the competition that coming to LHS has brought him.  

“What I like the most about being on the Leominster High track and field team is more competition because I recently transferred from Ayer Shirley High school which was in a lower division of competition,” Ioane said.  

Ioane has also already learned a lot from his new coach, Coach Harris.

“Something that I have learned from my head (coach) was to not be (afraid to) make my mistakes in practices so once it comes time during the meet, I know what not to do and I’m prepared to do my best,” Ioane said.  

Just a sophomore in high school, Ioane still has time to work on his post graduation plans but he does have a goal of continuing his track career in college.

Here at LHS, Ioane plays football and is in the Black Heritage Club.  He also plays recreational soccer.

“My favorite class at Leominster High school was International Justice and Global Community (with Ms. Grimes) because the class is about problem solving and leadership development,” Ioane said.  

Ioane also stays busy outside of school.

“My hobbies outside of school are quality time with family,” Ioane said.  “I also enjoy taking my dog on a walk.  I like swimming and I like to attend professional games.  I love cooking with my grandma Faye Arrington.  I love taking a guys day with my uncle Brad and my brother Mikaele Pa’u.  And I like playing basketball with my mom, Jihana Arrington who was my inspiration and who helped me excel in my athletic career.”

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Ray Mwangi (Wrestling)

Junior wrestler Ray Mwangi has lived in Leominster for eight years after his family moved from Nairobi, Kenya.  Ray went to Johnny Appleseed and Sky View before coming up to the high school, where he has thrived in the classroom and as part of the wrestling team.

“He has become a vital part of our team and leader for the younger kids,” LHS wrestling coach Matt Schiller said.  

Ray initially found out about the wrestling team at LHS while still at Sky View in a class taught by his current wrestling coach at LHS.  

“I was in eighth grade in my coach’s health class in Sky View,” Ray explained.  “He had a poster on his whiteboard about wrestling.  I talked to him about it and he told me to try out next year.”

Ray has not regretted that decision.

“What I like most is that this team is (we are) there for each other,” Ray said.  “They support each other and cheer everyone on.  These are people that are close friends with me.”

Ray also likes the feeling of closing out a match.

“I like pinning my opponent and then having my arms raised high by the referee for everyone to see.” Ray said.

Ray said he has gained valuable insight from Coach Schiller.  

“He has taught me how to be a successful adult,” Ray said.  “He always drills into our heads about being on time to anything you do.  When you need to be somewhere at a certain time, he taught me that you need to be there ten mins early.  He has also taught me to always do things with a purpose to get better and improve.”

Ray would like to one day go to college and wrestle competitively.    

“I plan to go to college and major in International Business,” Ray said.  “Hopefully one day become the owner of a successful business.”

At LHS, Ray is a member of the Black Heritage Club, Best Buddies and is working towards joining the National Honor Society.  

“My favorite class is Algebra,” Ray said.  “I love math and numbers so any class that deals with that will always be number one.  My favorite teacher would be Dr. Cortezia.  He was a college professor who came and taught at the high school.  He was chill and laid back, but also challenged (me) with difficult questions and work that made me put all my effort in.”

Outside of school, Ray dabbles in graphic design and works the sound system at his church.