Freshman Caitlin O'Hare Having a Great Start


Caitlin O'Hare competing at the Ocean State Invitational in September. / Photo by Steve Mazzone for MileSplit

The Red Bank Catholic cross country girls have been ranked NJ#1 for most of the season here on NJ MileSplit and for good reason. They have a solid veteran presence but another reason they've had so much success so far this season is a newcomer who has contributed from day one. 

Caitlin O'Hare, the freshmen Casey's standout has had a great start to her racing career. In her first varsity race she led her team with a ninth place finish during the Ocean State XC Invite Championship race, she set her 5k at 19:25. A week later she took on Holmdel for the first time during an Invitational race and ran 7th in the Championship race with a 20:00 run. She was number two on the squad that day with senior MaryKate McNamara leading the way at 19:43. 

This past Tuesday O'Hare competed in the Monmouth County Championships which is also held at Holmdel. Only two and a half weeks later she dropped her best Holmdel time down from the 20:00 mark at Shore Coaches to 19:23 for fifth overall at Monmouth County Championships! Once again the number two runner on this talented squad.  O'Hare's Monmouth time of 19:23 ranks 14th among Holmdel times so far this season. 

Before high school racing she also held her own in the middle school ranks. At the first annual middle school championships she placed second in the 3K with a time of 10:55 only behind another talented freshman Hope Tiboni of Mendham who ran 10:42. 

I recently published a top underclassmen girls article to bring some of the top talent at present and in the future to the spotlight. I accidently left her out when I would have included her if not for my oversight and wanted to make sure everyone who follows this site knows they should also be following this talented young freshmen.  

Good luck with the rest of your season Caitlin!