After being plagued by injuries and adversity over the past two seasons, it would have been easy for Ryder Leary to lose focus among the masses of Bishop Kenny runners. However, Leary opened the season with a bang on Saturday, proving that he\'s done anything but squander the talent that made him one of the state\'s most promising runners a year ago. The Crusader senior is our first selection as Track Shack Athlete of the Week for his inspiring performance in route to a second-place finish at the Katie Caples Invitational.
Leary\'s tremendous showing at the Katie Caples Invitational this weekend proved that he deserves mention in the company of the state\'s elite boys. For two miles he stayed on the heels of senior Steve Hassen of Ocala Vanguard, who is widely known as perhaps the top runner from Florida and as a candidate for Footlocker Nationals. Hassen eventually inserted periodic mini-surges and was able to gain some padding between himself and the determined BK ace.
End in the end, Leary crossed the finish line at 15:56--just over ten seconds behind Hassen. Despite the second place finish, Leary\'s time was a new personal record for the 5000 meters, destroying his old personal best of 16:11 for three miles (which converts to a 16:45 5K).
\"Without a doubt,\" says Coach Brian Devine, \"Ryder will be the frontrunner for BK this season.\" Devine continues in his statement on Bishop Kenny\'s team homepage, \"Ryder will be chasing after some redemption and ... the 16 minute barrier for 5K.\" Well, Coach, just one race into the season and he\'s already there!
Since the senior\'s freshman year, when he finished with the fastest freshman time in the 1999 State Finals, his high school career has been riddled with bothersome injuries that have limited his training and effectiveness. Rather than feel sorry for himself, Leary has shown his tenacity by spending countless hours in the pool and nursing his injuries while trying to keep his fitness at a good level. Elected as one of the team captains of the BK running army, his toughness and deterimation serves as an inspiration to his teammates.
\"He is the hardest and most dedicated runner I know,\" says teammate Courtney Hall, \"this year is his time to shine...(Katie Caples) was only the beginning!\"
Congratulations to Ryder for his excellent performance this weekend as well as being selected for Track Shacks Athlete of the Week! Also, good luck on the rest of the season!