Leyla Bhusri

Until 2020, Leyla Bhusri was a softball player. The seventh grader had played softball for eight years and didn’t have any reason to think that would change. Of course, a global pandemic changed a lot for everyone. For Bhusri, it wound up being a humble beginning to an extraordinary running career.

“I started running during COVID when everything was shut down, just on my treadmill,” she said. “I had an app that helped you work up to running a 5K. I did that for a while, and I liked the routine of it and the feeling afterward, so I stuck with it.”

After a friend invited her to join the school’s summer running club, one thing led to another, and Bhusri found herself becoming a distance runner.

“It’s definitely not anything I would have ever imagined myself doing when I look back to when I was younger and playing softball,” she said. “But I’m really grateful for everything running has given me, including the opportunities and friendships.”

Bhusri has made the most of the opportunities she’s been given. She was named the New York State Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year after winning the league, section, state, and federation titles this past fall. On the track, she has been named an All-American four times, won a state and national championship, and set a Section 2 record along with several school records.

“Leyla has transformed herself and our team through her dedication, big goals, tough, hard-working mentality, and gracious attitude,” said Rob Cloutier, Bhusri’s Cross Country and Track coach. “Despite her outstanding accolades, Leyla is a humble and conscientious young lady.”

That humility becomes evident when you consider her team’s championships, which Bhusri says are her proudest accomplishments. She led Shenendehowa Central to league, section, state, and federation championships this past fall and helped her squad bring home a national championship in the distance medley relay at the Nike Outdoor Nationals.

“It means a lot more when you have a group of girls doing it with you and accomplishing a goal you all work toward every single day,” she said. “We’ve pretty much all grown up together, from the seniors who started in eighth grade to the younger kids who came onto the team later. I’ve been with them for my whole running career, so it’s really cool to watch everybody grow in their own way.”

This fall, Bhusri will join an extremely competitive Notre Dame program that has won the last four Great Lakes Region championships in a row. She says her mindset is what brings her success and why she feels like she can compete with the best of the best.

“Practice and training teach you how to handle pain and what to do when you’re uncomfortable,” Bhusri said. “So I rely on my training and know that racing is the fun part, where I get to see what I can do.”

Despite being one of the fastest individuals at Shenendehowa, Bhusri still takes time to slow down and make others feel included. She took part in the Best Buddies program, which pairs general education students and students with disabilities in fun and enriching activities.

“I went to the meetings and did activities with a lot of different people,” Bhusri said. “Kids with learning disabilities got a good chance to meet new people, do activities, and have fun, and it was really fun for me too. A lot of my friends did it, and it’s just a really big community. The people who run the club are amazing, so I’m glad I got to be part of it.”

Bhusri said being part of the CDSWOY Class of 2026 makes her grateful for everyone who has supported her along the way.

“It means so much,” she said. “It reminds me of all the work I put in and everyone around me who supported me. It makes me super grateful for all my coaches, teammates, and family, because I would never have been able to do any of this without them. I’m also really grateful for the running community in general.”

“Beyond statistics and awards, Leyla represents everything this honor is intended to celebrate,” said Shenendehowa Central Athletic Director Lucas LaBarre. “She is humble, disciplined, resilient, and deeply respected by her peers, coaches, teachers, and teammates. She leads by example through her work ethic, positivity, and willingness to support those around her.”