Holy Names runs to honor Coach Cherubino

AHN hosted the annual Carlo Cherubino Memorial 5K on Oct. 24

Runners participate in Academy of the Holy Names' annual Carlo Cherubino Memorial 5K on Oct. 24 and the Carlo Cherubino Middle School Invitational on Oct. 23. (Provided photo)

The Academy of the Holy Names hosted the annual Carlo Cherubino Memorial 5K on Oct. 24 and the Carlo Cherubino Middle School Invitational on Oct. 23. It was a weekend filled with Panther pride as the AHN community came together to honor Coach Carlo Cherubino — a beloved teacher, coach and mentor whose legacy will always be part of Holy Names history. Cherubino dedicated 45 years of service to Holy Names before passing away in November 2024.

“The highlight of my time at Holy Names was running on the cross country and track team for Cherubino,” said Brianna Wagner, Class of 2017. “He was an incredible coach, teacher and mentor to not just myself, but to so many other people in the Holy Names community and beyond. He had this ability to see your potential even when you didn’t and push you to achieve things that you never thought were possible. He didn’t just help me become a better runner, he helped me become a better person. (He taught) me the value of persistence, of toughness in the face of life’s challenges and how to be a leader.” 

Logan Schlegel, Class of 2025, speaks about how Cherubino influenced her life. (Photo provided)

The middle-school invitational had almost 50 student-athletes from across the Capital Region. In addition to Holy Names athletes, La Salle Institute, Menands Elementary, and Saint Gregory’s School were also in attendance.

The 5K event had nearly 80 runners with staff, volunteers and spectators joining to cheer them on. Eric Martell, athletic director kicked off the race, welcoming runners competing for top honors in the men’s and women’s divisions, as well as walkers who came out to celebrate Cherubino’s life and lasting impact on our community.

Melissa Cherubino, wife of the late Carlo Cherubino, cuts the ribbon for the new Panthers scorekeeper’s table. (Provided photo)

“I take it upon myself to run our athletics program in a way which shall further honor and celebrate the legacy of Coach Cherubino,” Martell said. “I think it speaks well to his memory that so many people were in attendance to race and be a part of such an important event. While I know I have some big shoes to fill, Coach Cherubino left such a lasting impact on Holy Names, I truly feel I have been set up to succeed because I have such a wonderful community, which he helped shape, to guide me.”

After the race on Oct. 24, a ribbon cutting took place for the new Panthers scorekeeper’s table, a gift from the Class of 2025 in memory of Cherubino. Logan Schlegel, Class of 2025, shared how influential Cherubino was in her life and Cherubino’s wife, Melissa Cherubino, cut the ribbon.