By Matt Browning

Landen O’Neil, a cross country runner from Andover Central, has been thankful for being able to participate this season.

Last season, O’Neil tore his hip, so he was limited to just two races.

“I was cleared to start running again late February this year,” O’Neill said. “I never thought that by the time cross county season came around that I would be able to compete with the top runners in my races.”

The Jaguars have a young and inexperienced team this season, so while the results have not been what O’Neil would like to see, he has seen progress in the runners.

“Although our team is not very competitive in our races, I am very proud of them,” O’Neil said. “The team is full of young guys and girls who have realized this season the work that they will need to do in order to get better.”

O’Neil’s goal coming into the season was to get back to where he was as a sophomore. But now he has bigger plans.

“After a very good summer of training, I now hope to place top three at regionals and top 20 at state this season,” O’Neil said.

O’Neil is currently enrolled in the Early College Academy in Business through Butler Community College. He hopes to continue his running career next year in college.