Riley Mitiguy

Riley Mitiguy is a force to be reckoned with. At least that’s how Rice Memorial Head Track & Field Coach Mark McKenna describes his two-year senior captain. “We just completed the Division II State Championship meet and Riley showed what a dominant athlete she is. She won her third straight 400 meter individual State Championship title, took first place in the 800 meter race, and anchored our dominant 4×400 relay to another first place finish. Quite the day,” he continued. “Over the years we have run her in every event from the 55 meters to the 3,000 and she has taken each and every one on with the same intensity and drive,” he noted.

Born and raised in Shelburne, Mitiguy’s family includes parents, Mendy and Rob; younger sister Haley, a sophomore at Rice; younger brother Trevor, an eighth grader at Shelburne Community School; and a golden retriever named Tula.

“Before I attended Rice my main sport was soccer,” offered Mitiguy. “As a freshman I played soccer in the fall. When the season was over my parents insisted that I participate in an activity during the winter. That’s when I chose to run indoor track for the first time. I’ve been running competitively ever since.”

 Not only running but winning. In fact, a track & field win is Mitiguy’s proudest moment to date. “My greatest achievement is when I won the 600 meter indoor championship my junior year. It was my greatest achievement because I was sick with the flu and throwing up. I didn’t think I could compete in states that day but I didn’t want to give up an opportunity that I had been training so hard for. Even though I was throwing up, I ran and ended up winning. It was awesome because the odds were against me but I pulled through.” 

 A four-year varsity soccer player and senior captain, and a four-year varsity track & field athlete and two-year captain, Mitiguy is also gainfully employed at Cucina Antica. “I’ve been the salad maker for about two years. Soon I will be waiting tables.”

 “Riley has been a pleasure to watch over the years. While a ferocious competitor, she is very down to earth and friendly. She gets along very well with all the athletes, whether they are her teammates or the opposition,” Coach McKenna offered as a final accolade. “Our program is going to miss Riley next year as she moves on to college. I know she’ll be successful in whatever endeavors she embarks upon in the future.”

 As for her future, Mitiguy will play soccer and run track while pursuing an interest in biochemistry at St. Michael’s College in the fall. “There were other options, of course, but if I decided to play a sport at a D-I school I would have to choose one sport. At St. Mike’s I can do everything I want to do. Plus I’m close to home.” If past experience is any indication of future success; there’s no doubt that Mitiguy will have an impressive run.