On October 24th, the Jesuit Cross Country team competed in the UIL district 9-6A title of the 2014 season. The team displayed their talents at the championship held at Norbuck Park. Filling the podium with three runners finishing 1st overall, 2nd overall, and 3rd overall, the Rangers had 5 of the top 7 runners in District 9.
Sophomore phenom, Connor O’Neill, secured the first place overall finish with a time of 16:03 in a 5k race. Juniors Connor and John Garvey captured the second and third place medals. Connor achieved the second place medal with a time of 16:56, while John ran a 17:02 to win third. Senior Michael Spamer ran a 17:20 and Sophomore Gus Baldwin finished with a time of 17:34, acquiring the 6th and 7th place finishes.
O’Neill’s incredible time saved him a spot in the regional race in which ran a time of 15:37, guaranteeing him a spot in the state championships on November 8th. Coach Robinson said that his “performances this season have been a steady progression to place him among the best in the state. He is highly fit and his competitive nature will serve him well in the State Championships.”
O’Neill said that “State will give me experience to what it’s like running at the highest level and know what I need to work for throughout the season in order to reach this level of competition”. He said that he hopes that “the race will show me and my teammates what it is like to compete on a state level.”
Garvey believes “O’Neill’s work ethic and determination has pushed him to get better and to reach his goal, to compete in the State Championship. I’m happy for the kid, this is a big opportunity not only for him personally, but for the future of the program.” John’s brother, Connor Garvey, said that O’Neill “has the opportunity to show that he can compete with the best in the state. Connor is a sophomore and he is already competing at the state level, I can’t imagine what he will be able to do in the future of his running career.”
To sum everything up, Coach Robinson says that “it would be a huge mistake to underestimate this kid.”
