THE CANDYMAN CLOSES OUT THE SEASON WITH A TOP 20 FINISH AT FOOT LOCKER
Meet Information
Foot Locker Cross Country Northeast Regional
November 25, 2023
Franklin Park - Boston, MA
RESULTS
BOSTON, MA - Last week at the MIAA Division 1 All-State Championships, senior captain Joey "The Candyman" Ryan placed 10th overall. Despite the top-10 finish, he felt like he had some unfinished business, and wanted one more shot to put a stamp on his final high school Cross Country season. That opportunity came at the Foot Locker Northeast Regionals. The meet is one of four regional championships hosted across the U.S. that serve as a qualifiers for the Foot Locker National Championships at Balboa Park in San Diego, with the top 10 finishers in each region earning a spot at Nationals. The Northeast Regionals have been hosted annually at the famed Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, NY since 1979. However, this year's Regionals were moved to Historic Franklin Park for the first time, which gave Ryan, and other Massachusetts athletes a distinct home course advantage.
Back in October, Ryan had the opportunity to compete at Franklin Park in the Catholic Memorial Invitational. At that race he placed fifth overall with a time of 16:10. That experience provided him with valuable information on how to handle the deceptively challenging 5k course. Saturday, against the best athletes in the Northeast, Ryan was focused and ready to make a run at a national qualifier.
The gun went off and the race was out in a sizzling pace. The defending Northeast Regional Champion Drew Griffith (Butler, PA) took the lead pack through the mile in 4:40. Meanwhile, Ryan hung back in the pack, and came through the mile in 48th place with a 4:54 split. The first mile at Franklin Park is generally on the pedestrian side from a difficulty standpoint. However, the Bear Cage Hill in the second mile is what begins to sort out any field. Ryan navigated it as best as he could hope to, as he moved up 17 places with a 5:16 second mile. While the Bear Cage began to paint a picture, it is the final mile in the Wilderness Loop where champions are made. During that time, Ryan Pajak (Ringgold, PA) made a move that would lead him to win the race in 14:50.6, which broke the course record of legendary Oliver Ames High School Class of 1999 athlete Andy Powell. Further back, Ryan made a strong move through the loop and powered past some of the best runners in the Northeast. As he approached the final stretch he blew by the MA All-State runner-up - B.C. High senior Chris Larnard - and flew down the straightaway to cross the line in 16th place overall, fifth among Massachusetts athletes. His effort was not enough to carry himself to Nationals, however, his final mile saw him show every bit of the heart of a champion. Despite the pain of a brutally fast opening mile burning through him, Ryan found it in himself to pass another 15 of his competitors over the final mile. In addition, his official time of 15:51.6 was the fastest time ever run by an LHS athlete at Franklin Park. Quite a finish for The Candyman.
Up Next
The Cross Country season is now officially over for The Minutemen. With that, Indoor Track & Field begins on Monday, and the first meet is set for Monday, December 11th at 4pm at The Track at New Balance.
Foot Locker Cross Country Northeast Regional
November 25, 2023
Franklin Park - Boston, MA
RESULTS
BOSTON, MA - Last week at the MIAA Division 1 All-State Championships, senior captain Joey "The Candyman" Ryan placed 10th overall. Despite the top-10 finish, he felt like he had some unfinished business, and wanted one more shot to put a stamp on his final high school Cross Country season. That opportunity came at the Foot Locker Northeast Regionals. The meet is one of four regional championships hosted across the U.S. that serve as a qualifiers for the Foot Locker National Championships at Balboa Park in San Diego, with the top 10 finishers in each region earning a spot at Nationals. The Northeast Regionals have been hosted annually at the famed Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, NY since 1979. However, this year's Regionals were moved to Historic Franklin Park for the first time, which gave Ryan, and other Massachusetts athletes a distinct home course advantage.
Back in October, Ryan had the opportunity to compete at Franklin Park in the Catholic Memorial Invitational. At that race he placed fifth overall with a time of 16:10. That experience provided him with valuable information on how to handle the deceptively challenging 5k course. Saturday, against the best athletes in the Northeast, Ryan was focused and ready to make a run at a national qualifier.
The gun went off and the race was out in a sizzling pace. The defending Northeast Regional Champion Drew Griffith (Butler, PA) took the lead pack through the mile in 4:40. Meanwhile, Ryan hung back in the pack, and came through the mile in 48th place with a 4:54 split. The first mile at Franklin Park is generally on the pedestrian side from a difficulty standpoint. However, the Bear Cage Hill in the second mile is what begins to sort out any field. Ryan navigated it as best as he could hope to, as he moved up 17 places with a 5:16 second mile. While the Bear Cage began to paint a picture, it is the final mile in the Wilderness Loop where champions are made. During that time, Ryan Pajak (Ringgold, PA) made a move that would lead him to win the race in 14:50.6, which broke the course record of legendary Oliver Ames High School Class of 1999 athlete Andy Powell. Further back, Ryan made a strong move through the loop and powered past some of the best runners in the Northeast. As he approached the final stretch he blew by the MA All-State runner-up - B.C. High senior Chris Larnard - and flew down the straightaway to cross the line in 16th place overall, fifth among Massachusetts athletes. His effort was not enough to carry himself to Nationals, however, his final mile saw him show every bit of the heart of a champion. Despite the pain of a brutally fast opening mile burning through him, Ryan found it in himself to pass another 15 of his competitors over the final mile. In addition, his official time of 15:51.6 was the fastest time ever run by an LHS athlete at Franklin Park. Quite a finish for The Candyman.
Up Next
The Cross Country season is now officially over for The Minutemen. With that, Indoor Track & Field begins on Monday, and the first meet is set for Monday, December 11th at 4pm at The Track at New Balance.