O’Neil, Third-ranked Regina Start Strong With Fourth-place Finish at Bob Brown Cross Country Classic
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
IOWA CITY – Aidan O’Neil got a crash course in cross country last fall.
The Regina newcomer aced his initial test earning a state medal in his debut season to help the Regals to an eighth-place finish at the 1A state meet.
After a year of learning O’Neil enters 2022 with elevated expectations.
In his first meet of the season O’Neil posted a fourth-place finish at Bob Brown Cross Country Classic on Thursday at Kickers Soccer Complex in Iowa City.
“It was a new experience, I had never run it before last year and there is nothing that can compare to experience,” O’Neil said. “That’s why I am setting my sights a little higher this year, last year was just dipping my feet in a little bit.”
O’Neil joined Dan Maley and Joe Maly and sophomore Samuel Welter as top-30 finishers for the Regals on Thursday as Regina placed fourth at the loaded 12-team meet.
Class 3A top-ranked Marion won the team title with 50 points followed by 3A fourth-ranked Western Dubuque with 86 points and 2A top-ranked Tipton with 103.
Class 1A third-ranked Regina finished in front of 2A No. 9 Monticello and, 3A No. 11 Clear Creek Amana which was sixth with 144 points and 3A No. 14 Solon which was seventh with 151.
“I think it’s a big benefit for us having such big schools come in here,” O’Neil said. “By the time districts and state come around and we are running against 1A competition we are ready for anything.”
Last season was the first cross country experience ever for O’Neil who hadn’t done any type of competitive running prior to moving to Regina and joining the track team as a freshman.
“He told me he had run a 5K before so I asked if he wanted to run distance and he was excited to try it,” Regina coach Chad Swope said. “He’s just a great person, a great kid and he works so hard. He’s been a great person to have on our team.”
O’Neil improved throughout his debut cross country season last fall capped by a 14th place finish at the 1A state meet.
How far has O’Neil come in just one year?
He was 20th at Regina’s own Bob Brown Cross Country Classic last season clocking a time of 18:09.45.
On Thursday O’Neil placed fourth behind a trio of ranked Class 3A runners in a time of 17:07.02.
Marion senior Jedisiah Osgood won the individual title in 15:58.5.
“I’m really lucky to have guys like Henry Bottorf, Joe Maly, Dan Maly just to look up to, guys that are always there there and Chad Swope is a great coach and I am really lucky to be part of such a great program,” O’Neil said. “It’s about committing and just buying in and having trust.”
With six of seven runners from last year’s state meet returning Regina has high hopes this season.
The Regals showed why on Thursday with four runners in the top 27.
“I think from the first practice we have all had our sights set on wearing the hats on the state balcony,” O’Neil said. “Keeping everyone healthy and keeping every motivated and we can make a solid run this year.”
Dan Maley finished 18th in a time of 18:11.24 on Thursday while Welter was 26th in 18:43.76 and Joe Maley was 27th in 18:49.31.
“We have improved a lot and Aidan has been instrumental with that but Dan (Maley) and Joe (Maley) have been really a big part of that and have been great leaders,” Swope said. “Aidan came in and almost took the pressure off them and they have really improved and you can see they are hungry.”
Solon was led by junior Brick Kabela who placed 10th in 17:47.54 while Mike Yeomans was 12th in 17:58.21.
Clear Creek Amana got an 11th place finish from sophomore Brock Hilsman in a time of 17:53.45 while Peyton Stadler was 24th in 18:36.05.
Bob Brown Cross Country Classic
Team scores – 1. Marion 50; 2. Western Dubuque 86; 3. Tipton 103; 4. Regina 131; 5. Monticello 140; 6. Clear Creek Amana 144; 7. Solon 151; 8. Washington 152; 9. Anamosa 201; 10. Cascade 240; 11. Calamus-Wheatland 311; 12. Prince of Peace 313
Individual leaders – 1. Jedidiah Osgood (MAR) 15:58.5; 2. Isaiah Hammerand (WD) 16:27.69; 3. Micah Rees (WAS) 17:00.99; 4. Aidan O’Neil (ICR) 17:07.02; 5. Clay Bohlman (TIP) 17:16.53; 6. Quentin Nauman (WD) 17:18.96; 7. Jakob Regennitter (MAR) 17:27.67; 8. Cooper Cook (MAR) 17:36.67; 9. Marcus Blount (PP) 17:42.34; 10. Brick Kabela (SOL) 17:47.54; 11. Brock Hilsman (CCA) 17:53.45; 12. Michael Yeomans (SOL) 17:58.21; 13. Maxson Fogg (TIP) 18:03; 14. Ty Nichols (TIP) 18:04.53; 15. Jordan Fischer (MAR) 18:07.46
Regina (131) – 4. Aidan O’Neil 17:07.02; 18. Dan Maley 18:11.24; 26. Samuel Welter 18:43.76; 27. Joe Maley 18:49.31; 56. Riordan Smith 19:38.59; 57. Henry Bottorff 19:42.42; 71. Colin Olney 20:28.47
Clear Creek Amana (144) – 11. Brock Hilsman 17:53.45; 24. Peyton Stadler 18:36.05; 31. Jamie Hayes 18:54.65; 38. Isaac Sorensen 19:06.39; 40. Cash Jensen 19:09.15; 42. Cameron Kimm 19:14.21; 54. Tate Schloss 19:36.65
Solon (151) – 10. Brick Kabela 17:47.54; 12. Michael Yeomans 17:58.21; 33. Lawsin Sinnwell 18:55.85; 34. Evan Burg 18:59.24; 63. Colin Bumsted 20:11.44; 72. Ben Duckett 20:28.76; 73. Mason Pauley 20:30.81
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