With cancellation of Great American event in North Carolina as a result of Hurricane Ian denying Madison Central senior an opportunity to repeat at WakeMed, North Carolina commit produces memorable performance at LaVern Gibson, which she hopes is a catalyst for impressive postseason run

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Ciara O’Shea spent most of her Saturday evening surrounded by darkness at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country course, and yet, the senior at Madison Central High in Kentucky might have never shined brighter than she did with her performance at the Nike XC Town Twilight, Presented by The Garrett Companies.

O’Shea, a North Carolina commit, covered the 5-kilometer layout in 16 minutes, 52.1 seconds, becoming the third-fastest female prep competitor in course history, trailing only Sydney Thorvaldson of Rawlins High in Wyoming clocking 16:38.3 in 2020, and Zofia Dudek of Ann Arbor Pioneer in Michigan running 16:49.3 at the 2019 NXR Midwest Regional.

“Oh, that has definitely been on my mind,” O’Shea said. “I was very aware during the race that I was following in the footsteps of some amazing athletes that have run there before me. It’s a special course. That’s why it’s a championship course. It’s tough out there. But I like that.”

O’Shea, who eclipsed the 17-minute barrier for the first time on a 5-kilometer layout in her career, anticipated a big performance after improving by more than 30 seconds from last year with her winning effort of 17:16.9 at the Trinity/Valkyre Invitational on Sept. 17 at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park.

But O’Shea expected that opportunity to come at the Race of Champions at the Great American Cross Country Festival at WakeMed Soccer Complex in Cary, N.C., as she began the week preparing for an opportunity to defend her title. 

But well before Great American officials decided to cancel the event as a result of the challenges presented by Hurricane Ian, O’Shea and her family had already shifted focus to contact Nike XC Town Twilight meet director Kristi Rieger to find an alternative event in Terre Haute.

“Once the storm started moving in that direction, I figured my chances of defending my title down there were over. So, I just quit worrying and let it be and left it to my mom to chase other arrangements,” O’Shea said. “Once the Terre Haute race became a reality, it was an easy switch. I have actually run that course about (two) years ago and loved it. I didn’t do very well when I was there because I was struggling with something going on with my hip. I was excited to go back though.”

The switch to racing at LaVern Gibson actually cut travel for the O’Shea family by nearly three hours in comparison to a potential trip to North Carolina, but they were ready to make whatever arrangements were necessary in order to find elite competition ahead of the Kentucky postseason schedule.

“As far as location goes, it makes no difference to us,” O’Shea said. “We are used to spending long hours on the road. It’s what we have always done.”

In addition to returning to LaVern Gibson to compete for the first time since placing 24th in 18:25.0 in the championship race at the 2020 XC Town USA Meet of Champions, O’Shea was also comfortable racing at night, with Madison Central opening the season Aug. 20 at the Central Kentucky Run for the Gold event at Elizabethtown Sports Park.

O’Shea had also raced in previous seasons at the City Auto Memphis Twilight XC Classic in Tennessee.

“I have raced a few times under the lights now,” O’Shea said. “I love it.”

Despite a missed opportunity to race against an impressive field at Great American, O’Shea left no doubt with her performance at Nike XC Town Twilight, prevailing by nearly 30 seconds over Addison Knoblauch of Homestead High in Indiana (17:21.3).

“I was disappointed not to get to defend my title at WakeMed. Also, disappointing, because there were some big names entered in that race, and I was looking forward to meeting them,” O’Shea said. “I know I am fit. I’m still training away. Not backing down yet. I have big plans for the rest of the season. Unfinished business you may call it. Running so fast on such a tough course, after all that uncertainty, just gave me a little bit of reassurance that I am on the right track.”

O’Shea is looking forward to another significant stretch of training in preparation to capture a fifth consecutive Kentucky 3A state title Oct. 29 at the Bourbon Cross Country Course in Paris.

Although a visit to North Carolina is expected in her postseason journey, O’Shea isn’t targeting a return to WakeMed, but instead another trip to McAlpine Park in Charlotte for the South Regional competition Nov. 26 in order to qualify for the CHAMPS SPORTS Cross Country Championships on Dec. 10 at Balboa Park’s Morley Field in San Diego, Calif.

O’Shea was 26th at last year’s national final and is motivated to earn All-America honors as a conclusion to her prep cross country career, with Saturday’s performance just another example that she belongs in any elite national conversation.

“As I said before, I feel like I have unfinished business to take care of,” O’Shea said. “First, I want to defend my Kentucky state title. Then, I hope to qualify for nationals and return to San Diego. I was not happy after last year’s race out there. I think I may have been a little overwhelmed with the enormity of the event. I will definitely draw on that experience this year if I get a second opportunity.”