A five-time All-American, Patrick Morasse was a dominant middle and long distance runner from 2002-06 who captured numerous records during the course of his career.
As a member of the cross country team, Morasse helped push the River Hawks to three consecutive NCAA Northeast Region Championships from 2002-04. That success followed the squad to the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons where the River Hawks secured the top finish among all Division II-III schools in four New England Championship events from 2003-05, including a pair of best-ever second-place indoor finishes in 2003 and 2005.
"Pat Morasse was one of the best, if not the best, middle distance runners in school history," said head coach Gary Gardner. "His school records still stand and no one has come really close to his 1500 meter record even with a host of All Americans following him.
"The biggest attribute Pat brought to the table was his incredible toughness in races," Gardner added. "There is no other athlete that I have ever coached that I would want to have race for me with a Championship on the line. In nearly every big meet situation he achieved at the highest level."
While running for the cross country team, Morasse earned four consecutive NCAA All-Northeast Region Team selections and was named the 2004 NCAA Northeast Region Athlete of the Year.
Morasse outdid himself in indoor track, earning three All-American honors for performances in the mile and distance medley relay. He also picked up three New England Championships for a pair of DMRs and a 4x800 meter relay. In 2006, Morasse was honored as the USTFCCCA Division II East Region Indoor Athlete of the Year.
When the seasons moved outdoors Morasse picked up two more All-American honors, a New England Championship and three NE-10 Championships. In 2005 he was named the NE-10 Men's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year.
As a senior, he gave one of the greatest individual efforts in school history at the NCAA Championship. Having qualified in both the 1,500 and 800 meters, Morasse placed third in the 1,500 (4:02.39) and one hour later, fourth in the 800 (1:55.90) to earn All-American honors in both events.
"Pat lost the two events by a combined 1.5 seconds," Gardner added. "That is an achievement no one has equaled at an NCAA Championship since."
In total, Morasse set five school records during his tenure and still holds four: the indoor 4x800 meter relay (7:36.32), the indoor 1,000 meters (2:24.99), the outdoor 4x800 meter relay (7:41.84) and the outdoor 1,500 meters (3:45.75).
"His time 1,500 meters is equal to a 4:02 mile," noted Gardner.
Morasse completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2006 and obtained his masters in mathematics from the University in 2008. He is currently a mathematics teacher at his alma mater Lowell H.S.
Morasse and his wife, Sarah (Merullo), a former distance runner at the University, live in Chelmsford, Mass.
