Hilliard Davidson's Connor Ackley finishes fifth at cross country nationals
Hilliard Davidson senior Connor Ackley closed his prep cross country career by earning his first all-national first-team honor Dec. 10 in San Diego.
Competing in the national finals of the Champs Sports Cross Country Championships, Ackley finished fifth of 39 runners in 15 minutes, 11.8 seconds as the top five runners earned first-team status.
“I’m super stoked,” he said. “The competition was really good. Most of the Midwest guys were here and there was a lot of good talent from the other regions, so to place this high is really special to me.”
Ackley’s performance helped the Midwest team finish first with 18 points, ahead of Northeast (61), West (65) and South (87). Midwest had five runners place in the top six.
“It was really special to be a part of such an amazing team,” Ackley said.
Coming off his first OHSAA state title Nov. 5 at Fortress Obetz, Ackley immediately began preparation for a pair of elite national races on the West Coast.
Ackley competed in the Nike Cross Country Nationals in Portland, Oregon, on Dec. 3, finishing 18th (15:20.9) to earn all-national third-team honors. He locked up the berth in the race by finishing fourth (14:29.5) in the Midwest regional Nov. 13 in Terre Haute, Indiana.
“This was my first year running in nationals,” Ackley said. “I qualified last year, but the race was canceled because of COVID, so this is my first year and it’s been really awesome.”
Ackley said a key to his performance in San Diego was remaining among the leaders for most of the race.
“The field went out really strong (in) both races and last week (in Portland) I just didn’t get out quick enough and I got buried and I just did too much work trying to catch up,” he said. “I was pretty disappointed with that race, but I learned my lesson and this week I went out really strong. I was up in the top three for 200 meters, so I was really up there with the big guys and that just set me up for the perfect race possible.”
Davidson coach Pat Schlecht said it was a great way for Ackley to cap his prep cross country career.
“We rested up last week and our bodies were ready,” Schlecht said. “There was nothing to lose this week, so his goal was to get in position early. He had a great start. He and the Midwest team were lights out, awesome and Connor’s last mile was amazing.
“I’m so proud of him being fifth in the country at this prestigious race and difficult course. To run what he did is all about him, his focus, his beliefs that this is what he wanted to do. This kid has planned for this for years. My hat is off to an amazing athlete who’s dedicated and driven to be the best person that he can be in this sport we call running.”
Ackley said he will take about five days off before preparing for Davidson’s indoor track and field season. The Syracuse commit then will compete in outdoor track in the spring.
This fall, Ackley captured the Division I state title in 15:10.1, ahead of runner-up Sam Ricchiuti (15:25.6) of Dublin Jerome.
Last spring, Ackley finished second in the 1,600 meters (4:10.67) at state.
“I’ve definitely gotten a lot of confidence from this cross country season,” he said. “This is definitely the best one I’ve put together in my whole life, so I want to keep up the momentum and bring that over into the (spring) season hopefully.”
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Hilliard Davidson runner Connor Ackley finishes fifth at nationals
