Leading With Passion: Luca Gnazzo’s Impact On and Off the Trails

From the moment Luca Gnazzo '29 arrived on the Northfield Mount Hermon campus, his enthusiasm has stood out.

At the Envision NMH Day for accepted students, Gnazzo made a point to meet with the spring outdoor team, a gesture that early on spoke volumes about his passion and commitment. Now a 9th-grader, he continues to set himself apart not only through his drive but through his willingness to jump fully into the community around him.

Gnazzo competing at the Stratton Mountain Race

That passion shows most clearly in how Gnazzo supports others. Despite being one of the youngest riders on the outdoor team, he has taken on a leadership role, even teaching a senior how to do a wheelie, which is uncommon and impressive dynamic.

"He is very eager to teach people," said his teammate Kiki Wang '26. "He is incredibly patient with it and just wants people to enjoy biking as much as him." For Wang, who is new to the sport, Gnazzo made all the difference. "He made me feel super included and helped me learn new techniques. I felt great doing mountain biking, mostly because of him."

On the trails, Gnazzo's ability is just as striking as his character. Coach Steve Allison describes him as "technically the strongest rider we have had at this school," noting that Gnazzo can ride courses at speeds most competitors in the league cannot match. Currently ranked in the top 10 out of 600 riders, he pairs natural talent with an exceptional work ethic, training hard and continually pushing himself. If he continues on this path his future is bright. "He could be a league champion," Allison said. "And, more important, he wants to be."