Michael Kassabian isn’t sure exactly how he ended up getting accepted to Harvard University, but it probably doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone else.

Kassabian, a senior at Old Rochester Regional High School has a long list of accomplishments from the past four years as he has balanced academics, extracurriculars and the track team.

“It’s been a really awesome four years. I think all the teachers are super supportive and I think there’s a lot of opportunities,” said Kassabian.

The soon-to-be Harvard man is third in his class, has been class president since sophomore year and is a member of both student council and the National Honors Society. He also qualified for All State as an individual for cross country last fall.

“It was a nice way to finish off the high school cross country career,” he said.

Kassabian, who has five siblings and lives with his parents, Jay and Laurie in Mattapoisett, comes by running naturally. His grandfather coached track, his uncles run and so does his mother.

“There’s definitely a long legacy of running in my family,” said Kassabian. “I kind of knew coming in freshmen year I wanted to run cross country.”

He and members of his family have a healthy competition at the Mattapoisett Road Race every year, and Kassbian said distance running always suited him more than sprinting.

“I find that’s what I’m best at,” said Kassabian.

His track coach of four years, Bill Tilden, will be sorry to see Kassabian go.

“He’s one of the most amazing young men I’ve ever had the privilege to coach,” said Tilden. “He’s very easy going and will jump in and do whatever you ask.”

In addition to cross country, Kassabian’s favorite event, he also runs the one and two mile in winter and spring track. Sometimes, he runs both at the same meet.

“He pulls that double off very convincingly,” Tilden said. “He always has a smile. I’ve just loved having him around.”

Beyond sport, Kassabian has made a name for himself as a member of student government.

“I’ve always kind of liked leadership positions,” he said.

Kassabian started out running for treasurer freshmen year and decided to try for president his sophomore year. He won then and ever year after. Kassabian said his peers are one reason he wanted to stay on the board.

“We have a really good group of board members,” he said.

As Kassabian looks towards graduation next month, he said he has too many good memories from the past four years to count, and he’s looking forward to his next chapter in Cambridge.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of fun opportunities,” said Kassabian, who plans to run recreationally but not on the varsity team.

He is learning towards a degree in English but isn’t in a hurry to make up his mind just yet.

“It’s easy to overextend yourself and spread yourself too thin,” Kassabian said.

Taking his time and keeping a level head have gotten Kassabian pretty far so well, and he offers these words of advice to the underclassmen at ORR: “Stay balanced. Stay focused. Stay centered, just doing as best as you can.”