David Fletcher
- Post by: mcalibrary
- January 12, 2024
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SAINT PAULINE VISINTAINER SCHOLARSHIP
Four years of hard work and rigorous training has paid off for David Fletcher, Mount Carmel Area’s outstanding cross country and track performer, with his commitment to Lehigh University to compete in both sports. Fletcher is also this year’s Bob Greco Family St Pauline Scholar. David has excelled for three years as a cross country runner for Coach Ben McConnell. After not running as a freshman, Fletcher decided to use it as training for track. Pushed by McConnell, Fletcher soon became one of the leaders of MCA’s team that won back to back District IV titles in 2013 and 2014. They were undefeated in the regular season in each of those years. The team placed at the state championship for two consecutive years. He has a best of 16.44 for the 5k and a 17.07 at the District IV Cross Championships.
Fletcher is a middle distance standout who has earned two PIAA Class AA State medals in the 800 meter run. Along the way, he established a new MCA record for the 800 meter with a time of 1:55.07. He had a PIAA 4th place finish in 2014 and a 2nd place spot in 2015. He also helped the 4 x 800 meter relay team of Tom Moser, Ciaran Fisher, and Treyvon White to a new school record 8:02.29 with their third place finish at the PIAA State Meet in 2015. He has been a first team selection in the Heartland Athletic Conference in both cross and track and field, and currently serves as a captain for both sports. With a year left in his track career, David owns 3 PIAA State Medals and 8 PIAA District IV Medals. Dave recently placed 6th in the PIAA Indoor State Championships with a time of 1:55.8, good enough to qualify for Nationals.
He chose Lehigh over similar offers from Bucknell, Duquesne, Susquehanna, and Shippensburg. He has established a goal of getting under 1:50 in the 800, and may also compete in the 400 and 1500 events while at Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks are a Division 1 Patriot League school that specializes in mid-distance. His track Coach Chris Catton describes him as being very coachable and the type of kid you would want on your team.
Fletcher currently participates in the Advanced College Experience program at Bloomsburg University and has taken part in the Young Scholars Program at Luzerne County Community College. At MCA, he has participated in the Interact, Future Teachers of America, and the Calculus Club. He is a National Honor Society and National Athletic Honor Society member and a consistent Distinguished Honor Student.
Outside of school, David has served as an altar server and picnic volunteer for Holy Angels Church, Kulpmont for the past nine years. He was the recipient of the St Ceril and Methodius Leadership Award, given for “demonstrating the attitudes and good works of a student leader.” In the fall of 2016, David will attend Lehigh University to major in business or engineering. He s the youngest of six siblings to parents Susan and Michael Fletcher of Kulpmont.