Lippman Places 4th at Region XX Championships

Oct 27, 2024 - Hagerstown, MD.

 

Cross-country is not a glamorous sport. In order to be successful, athletes must train long hours, logging as much as 10-12 miles per day and competing in all types of weather. But while it may not be a fan's first choice to get up in the early morning to watch, if done right it is exciting and exhilarating. The CCBC Catonsville cross-country team has enjoyed successful seasons since the arrival of Head Coach Mark Pryor in 2016 who understands the importance of cross-country and it's training.

 

Middle distance athletes in Track and Field have a "love-hate" relationship with cross country. The focal events for a middle-distance athlete are the 400m, 800m and 1500m. So, racing 5.0 miles over grass trails, up hills in any weather conditions truly tests the will of those athletes who combine speed and strength. But it's that strength part that can be the difference between winning and losing for the middle- and long-distance athletes. And that is what makes cross country important.

 

Since 2016, Coach Pryor has had either an athlete or team competing in cross country and ultimately qualifying for the NJCAA Cross-country National Championships. In 2023, the Cardinals won their first Region XX cross country title in over 20 years and took the entire squad to compete at the Nationals. This year, the team aspect was not there but individually the Cardinals were led by a freshman who flourished in his first year of college cross country.

 

Aaron Lippman, who came to CCBC Catonsville from Parkville High School in Baltimore County enjoyed his first ever serious season of training and racing cross country. To his credit, Lippman didn't shy away from the training or the competition. It was exactly what Coach Pryor was hoping for in the development of this talented middle-distance runner who specializes in the 800 meters. The goal for Lippman was to gain that much needed strength to help push his track times in the 800m to new heights and be ready for the NJCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in May 2025. Lippman has already achieved the qualifying standard to travel and compete at the NJCAA National Championships. Now he just has to do it in a CCBC Catonsville uniform against college competition. His high school time for 800 meters was 1:53.83. The 2025 NJCAA National Championship qualifying mark is 1:53, scheduled for May 15-17 in Hutchinson Kansas hosted by Hutchinson Community College.

 

The Fall months of cross country are the foundation built for the outdoor Track and Field season which runs from March to May. Depending on how strong you build your foundation, is the level of success you will have later in the year. This philosophy in training has served well for Coach Pryor dating back to his competitive days as well as his coaching years on the high school and college levels.

 

Saturday's weather was a little cool, but the skies were clear, and the sun shined through the few clouds. As the gun went off to start the 5-mile region championship, Lippman jumped to the front and positioned himself in the Top 10. After the first mile, Lippman was in the Top 8 with a 5:33.6 split. His split for 2-miles was 11:17 (5:43.8 2^nd mile). At 3 miles, Lippman was in 6th place fighting to hold on to the lead pack. With just 1 mile to go, Lippman finished strong and passed 2 competitors with a 5:39.8 5^th mile to place 4^th overall in the race and 3^rd amongst the Division-II schools. Coach Pryor was very pleased with his freshman's race performance, determination and strong finish.