Freshmen on the Emory cross country team always have hurdles to jump over in their transition to a new environment. For rising sophomore Tom Perretta of Sparta, New Jersey, there was more adversity than any other person in his year. Almost immediately, he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his foot that left him barely able to run or compete for the entire fall of his freshman year.

"It was difficult going through an injury which limits you from a lot of the socializing that happens on a cross country team. People were getting closer and closer during runs while I was swimming away in the pool," he said.

But despite the adversity, Tom proceeded with poise and maturity uncharacteristic of most college students his age. He cross-trained strenuously, aqua-jogging and swimming countless hours a week to stay in shape, with most of his monumental efforts happening alone and away from the rest of his teammates.

"Initially I felt pretty lonely, but I figured everything would work out eventually," he continued.

During this time, Tom credited two people, his coach Lance Harden, and teammate Holden Ringer for supporting him through the process.

Regardless of circumstance, injury or success, Tom credits Lance with being a great mentor. During his season-long injury, Lance encouraged Tom to focus more on his academics as a distraction from having to train away from the team.

Holden would sit next to the pool and talk to Tom for 50 minutes while he aqua-jogged. Anyone who has aqua-jogged alone can speak to how overwhelmingly depressing it can feel. Five minutes can feel like hours. Holden, having gone through multiple long-term injuries in high school, had a sense of how Tom felt during this time, and made the process less excruciating for Tom.

"I learned the impact that reaching out to others can have," Tom said. "I never appreciated the differences small interactions could make until I was the person being helped, and I saw how much those interactions meant to me."

Judging from his first semester at Emory, we wouldn't have expected Tom to be where he is now. Once healthy, Tom's improvement became continuously unrelenting and unstoppable. His growth as a runner was so unrelenting, in fact, that he earned the nickname of "Mr. Points of Pride," very informal awards of pride we give to team members after every meet.

He would run a new personal record in his primary event, the 800 meters, with a time of 1:57.26. He spearheaded the efforts of the 4x800 meter relays and distance medley relays on the track team, leading off for most of the 4x8s. He would become a crucial scorer at both home track meets at Emory, responsible for 16 points at the Emory Invitational, and the next week, being responsible for 14 points. During the UAA Conference Championships, Tom Perretta was a part of the 4x800 meter relay that placed second, with a time that was only one second off the school record.

"Being able to help represent Emory in the 4x800 this year has been one of my most rewarding running experiences," he said.

But what goes unspoken, what isn't recorded by numbers, is Tom's contagious positive impact on the rest of our team. He carries with every team interaction and run a limitless amount of energy and enthusiasm, the specifics of which are described best by two friends and members of his class: Holden Ringer and Jack Whetstone.

"Tom Perretta is kinda like the Ice Cube song, 'Down For Whatever,'" Holden said. "Whenever anybody has some dumb but funny idea he will always be foaming at the mouth to do something wild. Not only that but Tom always brings the energy to whatever he does. When he's feeling it and is hyped everyone in his close vicinity is hyped. His energy is contagious."

"Tom is an absolute goon, never failing to amaze me with the ridiculous things he does. Whether it be making gibberish noises at RAs, napping at 8 p.m., or engaging in some good Wednesday night study sessions, the dude is always a great time to be around," Jack said.

In addition, another critical part of his contributions to the team has been even more informal: Tom's creativity has coined numerous phenomenal phrases that have entrenched themselves in the team's culture and daily jargon.

According to teammate and rising sophomore Matt Burke, some of these include "the play,” "absolute unit," "ball up," "I'm just gonna ride," and "shorties." All of these phrases are too hard to explain without context, so I won't bother trying.

Holden Ringer also wanted to credit Tom Perretta for being a level-headed and thoughtful individual, a grounding force for much of his class and the rest of his team.

"He has always been such a level-headed person even when things weren't going well for him injury-wise, when he spent full days in the pool aqua jogging. Not only is he a level-headed kid but also just someone I respect in so many ways," he said. "I know very few kids who have been able to maintain a long distance relationship and I am in awe of his ability to maintain his relationship and just the way he glorifies his girlfriend through his words and actions speaks volumes to what a great man Tom is. Proud to call the big man a friend."

Tom wanted to credit his various communities and family for getting him where he is now.

"My parents and siblings have always encouraged me and helped me to do activities that I enjoy," he said. "I have been friends with basically the same group of guys since 2nd grade. I feel really lucky to have always had them growing up."

"The greatest feeling once healthy wasn’t being injury-free, but it was when I felt more comfortable being around the team and started viewing the team as a family, which happened months before I started competing again."

I said I wouldn't try to define any of the phrases Tom has coined or popularized, but one of these phrases, "absolute unit," epitomizes who he is. It is a phrase that means an imposing physical presence.

I believe Tom is an absolute unit, not only physically, but in every respect, with the poise that he handles unfavorable circumstances, the overwhelming passion and energy he brings to every run and social interaction, the toughness with which he trains and races on the track, and the contagious hype he brings to every situation. It's not a formal phrase in the slightest, but I can think of no better way to describe Tom Perretta.