4-time XC state qualifier Connell to run for NIACC
Last Thursday, Charles City senior Gavin Connell signed his letter of intent to continue his cross country career at North Iowa Area Community College. Pictured front are Connell’s mother Jill Connell and NIACC head coach Curtis Vais; back from left are Charles City head cross country coach Ryan Rahmiller and siblings Kiki Connell, Regan Connell and Lauren Connell.
By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com
Like many runners, joggers or walkers, Gavin Connell moves to his own personal soundtrack.
Except he has long since decided to lose the headphones.
“I don’t run outside with headphones on anymore,” Connell said. “I know from experience it’s too dangerous.”
Nonetheless, Connell is a music aficionado with an astute knowledge of rock and roll. And though this may tweak some noses of art rock snobs, Connell believes groups like AC/DC and Metallica are just as ground-breaking and innovative as the likes of Radiohead and Death Cab for Cutie.
“Instead of sounding like everyone else, they were able to create their own sound,” Connell said.
A budding musician himself, Connell is also creating his own sounds as he has transitioned to classical music and has composed several pieces.
“I want to study music in college,” Connell said. “I would love to one day to have an orchestra perform my music.”
Last Thursday, Connell signed his letter of intent to run cross country for North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City.
“I’ve know Curtis (Vais) for a long time,” Connell said of the Trojan head coach, who is a Charles City resident who often runs against Connell in local road races.
“He’s someone I know I could trust,” Connell said. “I’ve often sought him for advice on training, running strategy … how to deal with injuries.”
During his career as a distance runner at Charles City, Connell has qualified for the State Cross Country Meet four times. This past meet, he placed 36th — his best showing — while running a sub-17-minute 5K.
Earlier in the year, Connell finally surpassed an elusive personal-best time he set when he was a Comet freshman.
Though Connell is a four-time state qualifier in cross country, he’s hoping to make his first state track appearance come this spring.
“For three years I have been trying to get to that ‘Blue Oval’,” Connell said in reference to the track at Drake University, which hosts the state tournament.
“This is my last chance, so I’m going to put everything I got into getting down there.”
Even if Connell doesn’t qualify, he says he will still be present at state track.
“I feel going into this final season I’m going to be more healthy and have a much better attitude,” he said. “When I didn’t make it my sophomore year, I was upset with myself and I kind of pouted and I didn’t go down to support my teammates who did qualify.
“I don’t want to be that guy again. I don’t want people remembering me just as a four-time state qualifier … I want to be remembered as a good teammate.”
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