'If I'm not aiming high, why aim at all?': Northbridge runner Marcus Reilly makes it official, signs with Michigan

With family, friends and classmates flanked by his side, Marcus Reilly put pen to paper on Wednesday afternoon inside the auditorium at Northbridge High School.

The standout senior runner signed his National Letter of Intent to run cross-country and track and field at the University of Michigan.

“To be here now and commit, it’s awesome,” said Reilly, 17. “I’m really grateful for all the years in the past and hopeful for the years with Michigan and beyond.”

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So how did Reilly go from being a skinny basketball and soccer player in middle school to a Division 1 commit for running as a senior? By putting one foot in front of the other.

A little faster than most.

“The journey I’ve taken over the past 4½ years has definitely been awesome, and I wouldn't trade it for anything,” Reilly said. “Four and a half years ago, I didn’t even know that I'd be able to do this.”

“To see him when he was a kid starting out running to now committing to a program like Michigan has been a wonderful journey for all of us,” said Reilly’s father, Paul.

In seventh grade, the speedster from Northbridge dropped the basketball and soccer ball to fully commit to running. Along the way, Reilly has set state and world records for his age group in the mile, 800-, 1,000- and 1,500-meter events.

His running has taken him from New England to Canada to Oregon and Puerto Rico. This summer, Reilly represented Team USA in the Pan-Am Championships. And in less than nine months, he’ll travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to kick off his collegiate career with the Wolverines.

Someday, Reilly hopes to compete in the Olympics.

“If I'm not aiming high, why aim at all?” Reilly said.

Fresh off winning his third consecutive Frank Mooney Invitational last weekend, Reilly will look to three-peat in the Division 3 state qualifier on Saturday. It’s been a busy week of running around for the two-time T&G Super Teamer for cross country — but he wouldn’t want it any other way.

“I just kind of have to take everything one step at a time,” Reilly said. “I’m signing the letter and then putting my focus towards divisonals and then states, and it’s going to be fun.”

—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Northbridge runner Marcus Reilly makes it official, signs with Michigan