GSU's COLIN O'BRIEN NAMED CCAC CONFERENCE RUNNER OF THE WEEK - Men's Cross Country -
GSU's COLIN O'BRIEN NAMED CCAC CONFERENCE RUNNER OF THE WEEK - Men's Cross Country -
A Top 10 finish during the seven-day period ending Oct. 13 has earned Governors State University's Colin O'Brien (Oak Forest, Ill.) Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week honors, the league office announced on Wednesday.
O'Brien placed ninth overall among 117 runners from the 10 competing teams that made up the Bethel University (Ind.) Invitational on Friday, October 11. The freshman completed the 8K course in 26:39.40.
Governors State finished third in the meet and will next be in action in Grand Rapids, Michigan, competing at the Aquinas College Invitational, Saturday October 26.
Men's Team 3rd - Women's Team 5th at Bethel Meet - Coach John Niendorf Comments on the Bethel Race -
"I was pleased with the performance of both our men's and women's team at Bethel. Our men and women were able to mix it up with a couple of top 25 teams in the country. On the men's side I love seeing a close pack all together at our two through four spots. Samuel Rocio, Alex Ortiz, and Daniel Zavala all took 12th, 13th, and 14th respectively. Colin O'Brien ran phenomenal and stepped up in a big way this meet and was able to put himself in the top 10 for the race. He was our number one runner for the day. Jack Kajmowicz also helped us out at the fifth spot, salvaging the team score. Overall, I felt like we had a solid day and Aquinas is going to be a huge test for our team as we get closer to Championship season," said Coach Niendorf.
"On the women's side I was happy with our they did. Kaylee O'Sullivan, Krysta Stanko, and Avery Kittl all took 11th, 13th, and 14th respectively, earning them each top 15 performances in the field of 137 runners. Morgan Pieczynski took 26th place and Camila Mendez achieved a 29th place finish to round out the top five. I loved the way that the girls competed and didn't give in throughout the 5k race. They are a young team, and they are continuing to grow together as a unit. I can't wait to see what they do at Aquinas."
GSU Head Cross Country Coach John Neindorf talked about O'Brien.
"I could not be prouder of this young man. He approaches every day with such tenacity and puts a true, calculated effort into everything he does at practice and in the classroom. He has a no-nonsense approach to running and does not back down from any challenge. He had a minor sprain in his ankle after warmups, that swelled up big time all weekend after the race, and he went out there and still earned himself a top 10 finish at Bethel. He is a no excuse kind of guy, and it shows in his performances. Everything he does is for the team, and his character truly drives his performances to amazing levels. It amazes me how this young freshman doesn't back down from anyone. This guy is going to be fun to watch over the course of his career," said Coach Neindorf.
