COPLEY TWP., Ohio – A scholarship distance runner, headed to Ohio State, Copley senior Nick Pupino still can’t get over the competitive company he keeps.

“I remember when Nick was a sophomore, competing at his first state cross country meet,” Copley distance coach Jim Chaney said. “He was in total awe to be in the same environment as defending state champion Zach Wills of Mason.

“We kidded that someday a kid will be standing next to you saying, ‘I can’t believe I’m in this race with Nick Pupino.’”

Well, that day is here – and actually, it has been here -- and will continue to be here throughout the 2012 high school track & field season.

Just don’t tell Nick Pupino, who with complete humility, still shakes his head, almost in disbelief, when he considers his competitive contemporaries.

From 76th in the state as a sophomore to fourth at last year’s OHSAA Division I cross country race, Pupino yesterday signed his National ...