NSIC Photo Essay: The #7 all-time DMR by Cardinal O'Hara: 10:10.80
PennTrackXC: When you caught the two lead guys and then took off from there, did you know that Devries and Banks were back there and that was what you had to do?
Hallinan: I knew he (Devries) was back there, and I was watching my team and we had about 40 meters on his team, so I was really that worried. There were two ahead of me, but I caught them within a hundred meters. They were just cruising, so I took the lead and I felt real comfortable and real smooth. Then when I had four laps to go, I picked it up in the third quarter, and I came through with two to go, and I started to pick it up more. Then with about 300, I was looking at the TV and I was all by myself so I thought it was over. I mean I was still pushing as hard as I could, but when he passed me with 175m to go, I was shocked. I didn't expect it, so I started going, and the other kid came up on my shoulder, so I was pushing to keep him out, and when I was coming up on the turn, the other kid started powering ahead, so I just hung with him.
Steve Hallinan tries to hold lead,
but his 4:13 isn't quite enough to hold off a 4:08 and a 4:09.
PennTrackXC: Was that race to plan as far as your team was concerned?
Hallinan: We wanted to run 10:10, 10:09, and my coach said if we run that we'll be competing for the win. We ran 10:10.80, so that was the goal. Any other year, we would have killed, but this year it was really competitive. It was a great race though. It was awesome.
PennTrackXC: So everyone on the team ran their best?
Hallinan: Yeah, Thomas ran 3:08 point, Jack ran 49.5, Willard was 1:59, something, and I was around 4:12. So we all ran amazing, it's just that Devries splitting 4:08 point on the anchor, that kind of changes everything. We gave it our best shot. We're happy with the time. I think it's a new national Catholic record. Ryan had it. It was around 10:12. And we have the county record and our school record too. We did everything we could. We have no regrets at all. We left everything on the track, so that's all you can ask for.
PennTrackXC: Thomas came up really big. That's impressive for a sophomore in such a tough position leading off for the 1200m?
Hallinan: When he handed off in third, I wasn't expecting that at all. I was hoping he would be in the top six, at least. He ran like the little monster that he is.
PennTrackXC: So you're passing the torch this year to a quality runner?
Hallinan: Exactly. He'll be taking over, and we shouldn't lose a step.