• article courtesy of Liam Gambon of Metrowest Daily News

Four years ago, Julia Leavey unintentionally set herself up for the future.

Leavey had danced her entire life and stared in the "Nutcracker" at Walnut Hill School for the Arts. But once she reached Natick High as a freshman in the fall of 2017, two people had an effect on her move into the athletic realm.

One was her older brother Matt. A tight end and defensive lineman for the Redhawks' football team as well as a runner on the track team, the eldest Leavey was a senior when his little sister entered high school.

"I started doing hurdles because he was there," Julia said.

"My big brother was my inspiration to start."

Next came Lauren Pole. An outside hitter and senior captain for the Natick girls volleyball team this past season, Pole became friends with Julia as a freshman and proposed the idea of hitting the court together.

"She was always very high energy, from what I remember," Natick girls volleyball assistant coach Bob Harless said about Leavey. "She didn't play as much as some of the others, but when we needed a spark, she would bring that positive energy to the team."

Four years after following in two people's footsteps onto the track and hardwood, the recent Natick High grad Leavey is set to take both terrains in college for Suffolk University. So, the decisions a 15-year-old made as a brand-new high school student have paved the road for her future – if all goes to plan, a future in medicine.

"I like pediatrics. I want to do something there, not sure yet, but I really like medicine and sciences," Leavey said. "It's always been my favorite stuff to do. I can help people, and I like that idea. I'd love to be that person for someone."

But the road to this point wasn't always a clear shot. As a baby, Julia was adopted by her mother Kate. A freelance writer and former Director of Arts at the Archdiocese of Boston, Kate Leavey adopted four children while living in Natick. 

And while her siblings grew up as athletes, Julia was more like her mother, a Boston College grad.

"I was the one drawing pictures while they were playing football and stuff in the neighborhood," Julia said. "Seeing them getting into that is what inspired me to play because I loved the connection my siblings have with it. We all come from so many different backgrounds but still do the same things."

And so, after dancing and enveloping herself into various forms of art, Leavey took on athletics as a Redhawk. All of which led her to one of the biggest stages of her high school career: The MIAA state pentathlon.

Once again, it wasn't exactly a clear shot.

"I was late to the meet," Leavey said with a laugh.

Waking up behind schedule, the three-sport athlete entered the pentathlon a lot more stressed than those who arrived earlier. But head coach Mike Russo simply had his captain warm up. 

After getting herself ready, Leavey took on her five events for the day. First it was hurdles, then the high jump, followed by the long jump, and then finally, the shot put and 800 meters to wrap things up. The fourth event was a familiar one as Julia's mother, Kate, was a shot put thrower back in her day.

"She was definitely cringing while watching my terrible form," Julia said.

But after showing shades of her mother in the event, Julia ran the 800 meters with advice from her teammates and broke a record in the process. With a final score of 2625, Leavey officially walked away with the highest girls pentathlon score in school history.

"It was a great day," Leavey said. "I was proud of myself." 

Now, after two people helped her make a decision that created a path for the future, Julia Leavey is making it a reality as she's set to compete in track and field as well as volleyball at Suffolk.

"They are getting a great athlete and a great person," Russo said. "Her senior year was her best season so I can't wait to see her continue to improve and push herself. She will definitely be missed next year."

Metrowest Daily: Leavey to Leave Athletic, Academic Mark