O’Dea Cross Country Team’s Hopes and Dreams

The O’Dea Fighting Irish cross country team is optimistic as they push to hang a banner in the gymnasium. After placing third in Metros last year they are hungry to finish strong this upcoming year. With a start of first place in their first meet and second place in their second meet, they are off on a strong start this season.

As the new season begins, this also means the loss of previous key runners. The Irish lost five out of the seven varsity starters this season, including Peter Leary. Leary is currently running for Colorado Mesa where he hopes to extend his success that he left at O’Dea. Other departures include Zach Berta and Fanus Beyen who were star runners for the 2022 varsity squad.

“Really sucks to see these guys go, but it happens. I am excited for this year,” senior runner Andrew Beyer shared.

These losses of runners may sound detrimental for the team on paper, but they also have key returning runners who are ready to dominate the Metro League. These returners include Zach's little brother, sophomore Ryan Berta who recently came in fourth place at a Lower Woodlands meet this past Thursday posting a time of 17:52.1. Another returner is junior Simon Olech who just recently timed a 17:56.7 5,000-meter run, placing fifth place right behind Berta at the same meet.

The return of these runners will be crucial in the team’s effort to have a successful 2022 season, hopefully even surpassing their achievement of third place in the Metro League last season.

“This year we really want to finish at least 8th place in Metros to qualify for districts,” Beyer said.

Beyer also shared aspirations in making a deep run into districts and then into the state meet. With how the Irish are running now it seems like it will be a breeze.

Notable matchups include Bishop Blanchet and Seattle Prep who look to prohibit the Irish’s chance at winning the Metro League. These two teams will give them a challenge down the road.

Another notable meet includes the Hole in the Wall Invitational on October 7th and 8th where they the Irish hope to prove themselves as a serious competitor in the Metro League.

But, with the combined leadership from junior Noah Gauyan and senior Sam LeClercq, not only do the Irish contain the talent and grit needed to succeed, but also the direction and motivation from the captains.

The only question that the Irish now have is who else will step up to the fill the shoes of Leary, Berta, Beyen, and the rest of the five absent varsity starters. While they think they found their replacements in Ryan Berta and Simon Olech, only time will tell who will step up big for the Irish.