Madison Central KY Senior Runs All-Time Kentucky Best With 16:23.67 In Loaded Collegiate Field

By Michael Garcia 

Photo courtesy Jamie King O'Shea

Ciara O'Shea of Madison Central High in Richmond, Ky. ran to the top of the high school leaderboard for the 5,000 meters Friday at the adidas Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C. 

O'Shea won the sixth section out of nine, racing a college field, and ran a personal-best 16:23.67. That's the fastest ever by a high school girl from Kentucky. 

"I thought this race may set up for a fast time," O'Shea said. "I knew I had to be patient. I sort of took a back seat and let things develop. As the race opened up, I just tried to make sure I avoided minor mistakes like letting gaps open up between groups. Towards the last 1,200 I just decided to push and see what happened!"

O'Shea, who is committed to North Carolina, remained consistent throughout and clicked off laps between 78 and 80 seconds, and she closed with 73.66 seconds.  

O'Shea's time put her 27th overall in an elite college competiton.

Olivia Markezich of Notre Dame won the fastest section in 15:33.62 for the fastest time in the NCAA this year. The top 15 finishers now occupy the top 15 spots on the early NCAA outdoor list.