As the calendar flips from 2022 to 2023, we are highlighting some of the top moments of the year. We have five male and five female moments, plus one with both! These are in no particular order, but we will ensure that the articles will alternate between the male and female moments. We have also included a poll in each of the articles for you to vote for your favorite moment from 2022! Voting will close on January 3 at 5:00 PM.

Ciara O'Shea capped off her incredible cross country career with her fifth state championship at the Bourbon County course. The Madison Central senior and University of North Carolina signee not only took home the title, but she also set a new course record. Her season was consistent without a finish below first until the Champs National Cross Country Championships where she placed fifth against the best in the country. Ciara was also the KYtrackXC and KHSAA Scholarship winner for cross country as a recognition for her academic, community, and athletic contribution.

Ciara won her five state championships by an average of 42.93 seconds. Maybe even more insane is that her gap of victory grew with each subsequent year (8th grade through 12th grade). Each season she had different competitor pushing her with some familiar faces, but each season she cam out on top. Jessica Secor, Tula Fawbush, and Karlee Hoffman all challenged Ciara for the state title and came in second. Honestly, looking back at our history, the trio of O'Shea, Secor, and Fawbush might just be the strongest top group we have seen and they just happened to compete at the same time. In any other landscape, Secor and Fawbush would have some state titles to their name.

Ultimately, Ciara put a pretty bow on her high school cross country run with class and domination. You would be hard-pressed to find a more humble high schooler (and that is high praise for our sport considering the amazing student-athletes that compete in cross country & track). 

Keep up with the Top 2022 Moments by clicking below