Ciara O'Shea Double Distance State Record

Each year I go into the state championships with something that I am really looking forward to at each class and event type. For this season in Class 3A distance, I wanted to see how Ciara O'Shea was going to respond to her loss at the Kentucky Dream Mile which was her first loss to a Kentucky athlete since last year's regional championships. From what little I know about Ciara, she is the ultimate competitor and was going to take that loss as an opportunity to work that much harder. She answered the call.

During her first race in the 1600m, the overall state record of 4:53.45 was not something that seemed was on the radar. Her previous best was 4:56.76 and she was going to be defending both the 1600m and 3200m titles from 2021. With those things in mind, a state championship seemed like the priority. But then the race happened and when she crossed the finish line an overall state record was the result in 4:52.67. 

Then came the 3200m race after one state championship in the 1600m and state record. This race was within the realm of state record since she had run times faster than the 10:35 mark set by Michaela Reinhart in 2017. Ciara toed the line ready to defend the 2021 title. From the gun, she established herself as the leader of the pack. Jessica Secor hung with her for a good portion of the race, but then Ciara broke away to win by 20 seconds. 

The Madison Central junior will build on this momentum into her senior cross country season to finish out the best Kentucky high school female running career in the history of our sport. Ciara is a multiple-time Gatorade Player of the Year, high-achieving student, and all-around amazing human being. Her work ethic and determination are evident in all that she does and got to see that on display.

Ciara's Pre-State Meet Interview