Keynaud Randolph (247) Leads Cross Country Team at Paul Short Run
Sept 30, 2023 - Bethlehem, PA.
The 49th Annual Paul Short Run hosted by Lehigh University has a long history of cross country. Colleges have been traveling to Bethlehem Pennsylvania since the 60s looking to conquer the tough rolling hills and all-grass terrain. CCBC Catonsville cross country head coach Mark Pryor fondly remembers his days running this same race. The only difference is that the tall corn fields have been cleared as Lehigh University has grown and built athletic facilities across the sprawling land. But the one thing that has not changed is the 5-mile test of runners' mental toughness in a race against over 150 colleges across the nation.
The atmosphere at the Paul Short Run is the same as a National Championship. Teams are assigned to different races based on their NCAA categories (Division I, II, III). The size of each race is over 300 runners making the degree of difficulty very high. The event organization is one of the best in the NCAA, which is why schools from California, Texas, Utah, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Canada all travel to compete against schools from nearby PA, NY, NJ, MD, VA, DE, and WV.
Coach Pryor wanted to test his young team on a tough course against high-level competition. After two low-key 3-mile (5k) races, it was time to see what almost 60 days of training had produced. What Coach Pryor was looking for would be how his athletes would respond.
Sophomore Keynaud Randolph who ran at the NJCAA Cross Country Championships last year was familiar with this high level of competition, 8k race distance, and atmosphere. Randolph was prepared mentally and physically to compete against the large field. He knew his first mile had to be faster than usual because of the large field of runners. But Freshmen Gamaliel Adejo and Ronak Rami who did not run cross country in high school were all new to this. They were confident in their training and felt prepared. Sophomore Ethan Bush was prepared for this challenge from last year's cross-country season with the Cardinals.
As each team member crossed the finish line, they all agreed that the Paul Short Run was the toughest and most challenging race they had ever run. The good news is that each athlete handled the challenge, increased distance, and competition well enough that they are excited about their next scheduled race to improve their times over 5 miles. Randolph was the first Cardinal distance runner across the finish line as expected. His time was only 30 seconds off his personal best for the 8k distance. Coach Pryor was excited as he knew his sophomore runner was ahead of schedule in training.
Adejo and Rami both crossed the line exhausted with a new respect for the 8k distance. They agreed the additional two miles from 5k to 8k made the race a lot harder than anticipated. For them, it was a major wake-up call. Coach Pryor applauded his two novice distance runners and expected them to run much faster with their newfound experience. Bush ran a tough race but knows it's these experiences that help him in his training for the 800m and 1500m events during the upcoming outdoor track season.
Here is the link to the team and full individual results for the 2023 Paul Short Run:
https://www.tfrrs.org/results/xc/22343/Lehigh_Paul_Short_Run_College#event146453
Coach Pryor noted, "My team got a lot better today and I'm encouraged. I knew this would be a huge test, but these races change your mental mindset. Instead of thinking you are ready, races like these humble you to know you need to keep working hard and not settle. Our distance runners grew up out there on those hills and grass".
The team's next scheduled race will be on Friday, October 6th at Goucher College in the Coach Caslin Classic. Having competed already on the Goucher College course, Coach Pryor is very confident and expects every one of his athletes will improve their 8k performance. How much improvement will be decided on how badly they want it.
GO CARDINALS!!!!! #JUCOproduct