Gavin Connell sets PR with 3,200 win at Pirate Relays

Press Staff Report

HUDSON — Many local track athletes are waiting for a break in the weather.

Charles City senior Gavin Connell may not be one of them.

In what has become a staple to the extended winter season, the sight of Connell running outdoors inspite of frigid conditions is a common one.

Though he’s earned a rare distinction of being a four-time state qualifier in cross country, Connell is still vying to qualify to state in track with one more chance remaining.

During Charles City’s first outdoor meet of the season — Thursday’s Pirate Relays hosted by Hudson High School — Connell set a personal-best in the 3,200-meter run when he recorded a first-place time of 10 minutes, 6.21 seconds, more than 3-and-a-half seconds faster than runnner-up Zach Nie from Don Bosco.

Connell also placed fifth in the 800 run with a time of 2:08.16.

Connell scored 14 of the 24 team points compiled by the Comets, who placed 14th amid a 20-team field.

Hudson placed first with 85.5 points ahead of Jesup (72) and Dike-New Hartford (69.5) to round out the top three.

Other point scorers for Charles City included cross country state qualifier junior Mason Deeter, who placed sixth in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 5:01.48; and John Sibuma, who placed sixth in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.61.

Charles City’s boys team is due to host the Comet Relays on Tuesday … weather permitting.