Taking the No. 6 spot on our cross country pre-season countdown are the Crusaders of Cardinal Gibbons.
The defending NCHSAA 4A cross country state champions lose a lot of talent to graduation, but these returning Crusaders are ready to step up and defend their crown. Aidan and Liam O'Donnell are the only two returners from their champion top five, but Matt Gurecki and Sam Howe, who finished as their 6-7, are back as well ready to make an impact for Gibbons.
Aidan ran 9:53 over 3200m during track season and Liam 10:05.
Senior Jack Gidley ran 4:41 and 10:11 over 1600m and 3200m on the track.
Their strength comes in their 46 second 1-5 split, which is one of the best in the state among competing teams. With large invitationals back, the time has never been better for a team that focuses on their pack to shine.
| Cardinal Gibbons (NC) | 456 | |||
| 1) Aidan O'Donnell | 16:24.90 | 45 | ||
| 2) Liam O'Donnell | 16:32.50 | 52 | ||
| 3) Graham Casey | 16:47.90 | 95 | ||
| 4) Jack Gidley | 16:51.85 | 109 | ||
| 5) Sam Howe | 17:11.00 | 155 | ||
| Average Time: 16:45.63 Total Time: 1:23:48.15 1-5 Split: 46.10 | ||||
| 6) Matt Gurecki | 17:33.39 | 223 | ||
| 7) Carson Schuler | 17:50.38 | 298 | ||