By Ed Farrell
Herald Assistant Sports Editor
THE BATON has been passed, at least metaphorically. Mike McWilliams, who gained greatness at Grove City High, then the University of Notre Dame as a cross country runner, and current standout Jake Kildoo have connected.
The — pardon the pun — long-distance relationship enjoyed by the Eagles past and present could play a part at the PIAA Championships this Saturday in Hershey.
Recently, Kildoo claimed his 2nd straight District 10 Class AAA crown, clocking in at 17:23 at Buhl Park. The junior will be making his 3rd consecutive cross country cameo on the statewide stage after placing 17th each of the past 2 seasons (AAA last year; AA 2 years ago).
“Last year, my expectations were about the same as what I accomplished,” recalled Kildoo, who confided, “but whenever I ran, I realized I think I did have more in me than what I actually did last year. I don’t think I was as physically prepared as I what I could’ve been. This year I want to got out, and I’m not gonna put it out of the cards to win this year. I honestly think that I have it in me, and if everything comes together on that day, then that would be great. But I’d be happy with top five, as well.”
Kildoo’s conditioning could not possibly be a factor this autumn. He was putting in between 50 and 60 miles a week this past summer, while this fall has been logging between 35 and 45 miles. Every afternoon, outdoors (unless dangerous icy conditions force him inside to a treadmill).
“I try to put in ‘quality’ miles,” he said, explaining, “That (35, 45, 50 or more) isn’t high mileage, per se, but I try to put them in a quality pace, maybe like a minute slower than race pace for moderate miles, maybe a minute-and-a-half slower for ‘easy’ miles.”
Last year Kildoo competed in the prestigious event sponsored by FootLocker, but did not qualify for nationals. However, he gained some perspective from that experience.
“(At last year’s northeast regional qualifier) I finished 27th at that race, and it was a lot more competitive than what states is,” Kildoo related. “Now, states is a goal of mine this year, but my ultimate goal is to try and qualify for the FootLocker nationals (Thanksgiving weekend).”
Though admitting “there’s definitely some pressure” to defending his D-10 title, the muddy conditions last weekend at Buhl Park afforded more of an obstacle than the actual competition for the curly-haired Kildoo.
“Jake had to go out there and run his race,” Grove City coach Mike Sample assessed. “He really hasn’t come up against any competition, in several invitationals we’ve gone to. He needed to run hard (last Saturday) and he ran hard. He looks smooth and effortless running, but he is running hard. And he needs to ’cause (this weekend) he’s going to be pounding it out with some big boys from out east.
“And he’ll be running to win it, there’s no doubt about it. He’s gonna go out there and see what he can do,” Sample said, adding, “I don’t think there’s a lot of pressure on him. I think what he really focuses on is that this is another step to get to where he wants to be, which is atop the podium at states.
“He’s as good as advertised, yes,” an admiring Sample said, relating, “I watched my father (John) coach Mike McWilliams, and there’s a lot of similarities, a lot of parallels. In fact, Mike and (Kildoo) do talk. Mike’s down in North Carolina, but he does keep in contact with (Kildoo), and so, there’s a lot of parallels with what (Kildoo’s) doing.
“I sought out (McWilliams’) advice, and he definitely ignited that flame in me,” Kildoo admitted.
Competition across the commonwealth will be keen come Saturday, and Kildoo recalled his initial trip to state 2 years ago as a freshman.
“I was very nervous, I was really intimidated. It’s such a huge race. The races around here, you start off and they’re pretty calm. But you go to states and there’s a lot more elbowing and pushing. You can really feel the competition in the air.”
Though Sample stopped shy of making a prediction, he said of Kildoo, “He’s as mentally strong as any athlete I’ve ever coached; focused and prepared every time he steps on the course. We’ll just have to see what happens. I think if you take a look at the state, the guys that can win states, he’s certainly got to be someone you talk about.
“He was 17th last year,” Sample recalled, “but we’re probably looking at him in the top 10 right now. But when you get down there, anything can happen. And he’s one of the ones you can’t ignore; you can’t ignore someone of his caliber. He’s going to be up there.”
Though Kildoo is confident in his coaches and own God-given ability, he already has a vision for his immediate and long-term future.
“If I don’t do well at states I’m not going to be too disappointed, because then I’ll learn from my mistakes, train another month, and then go on and race in New York (at the FootLocker national qualifier),” Kildoo confided, later adding, “I’d love to run at the college level (being a junior, he’s still undecided as to where). But my ultimate goal is to try and qualify for the Olympic Trials.
“It’s great,” Kildoo said following his District 10 championship, relating, “I’m so happy I could have the opportunity to come out and do what I love. Praise God.”
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