Liam Raehsler Continuing Cross Country Career At Penn State (08/22/15)

Student athlete, Liam Raehsler, who concluded an outstanding Cross Country and Track career at Clarion Area High School, this past spring, has taken his talents to State College, becoming a member of the  Penn State Nittany Lions’ Cross Country Team.

Liam’s had numerous accomplishments (many which are listed at the end of this article), in his scholastic athletic career. Among the accomplishments are: Cross Country – 2o14 KSAC and District Champion, KSAC MVP, All-State and State Medalist; Track: 2016 District Nine Champion in the 1600 and 3200.

(Photo by Rod Raehsler) Bobcat Cross Country Coach Keith Murtha and Liam at States

Liam shared his thoughts on his Bobcat career, on some of those who have helped him along the way, on why he chose PSU and on his future plans, with Clarion Sports Zone. We share his comments in their entirety, as well as, comments from his Bobcat Cross Country mentor, Keith Murtha.

LIAM’S REFLECTIONS ON HIS BOBCAT CAREER

My high school running career, simply put, is an alternate spin on the classic underdog story. In junior high I was very fast compared to other athletes my age. I only lost one race in those two years, and it was my very first race I ever ran.

From that point on, I broke course records, won the Junior High KSAC championship, and by 8th grade was Clarion’s fastest runner. Everyone thought that winning districts when I got older would be guaranteed.

However, at the beginning of my freshman year I contracted severe plantar fasciitis in my right foot. I had to drop out of races halfway through because the pain was intolerable. I only finished three races, one of which being the District Championships, but I had a terrible time and finished 46th. The next year I was still injured, but it had healed enough for me to finish most of my races. Unfortunately, I had lost my advantage and many of the runners I could easily beat in junior high were far ahead of me. I improved my place at Districts, finishing 26th, but I was still far off from my expectations of qualifying for states. Track was not much better; I barely qualified for Districts in the 1600 and 3200 and finished toward the back in both of them.

(Photo by Mark Bettwy) Liam leading the field in District Nine Meet

My junior year was the first year I was not subdued by injuries. While I still could not catch the runners that I used to be able to beat with ease, I got closer. I dropped my time by over a minute in cross country, to finish 9th at Districts and qualify for States, at which I was able to finish 55th in a field of over 250 runners. My track season was when my luck changed however. Every meet I dropped my time in the 3200, until by the end of the season I was a top contender. Going into the District Championships, I was seeded second (the top two advance to States). 7 laps later, it was a two person race between me and the district cross country champ. Dead even going into the final sprint, I managed to out kick him, winning the race with a time of 10:02, a ten second PR. At States that year, I started off way too fast and finished 16th with a slower time, but I was still very happy.

As a senior, I suddenly emerged as the District leader. I began to win dual meets and invitationals, breaking 17 minutes for the first time and slowly dropping more after that. I won Districts for the first time in cross country by over 15 seconds, and I went into the postseason undefeated in District 9. At States, I ran a somewhat disappointing race (I had run a faster time on the same course earlier that year), but I still finished in 16th place, earning my first State medal and All-State honors.

(Photo by Rod Raehsler)
Liam with Bobcat Track Coach, Ben Bevevino

But track was the highlight of my career. I began dropping my times in the 1600 and 3200 significantly, winning every dual meet and medaling at major invitationals. I broke the Redbank Valley Invitational record in the mile, with a 4:27 and was seeded first in the 1600 and the 3200 in the District. I won both at Districts, advancing to States in both races. At states, I qualified for the finals in the mile, finishing 5th in the prelim with a 4:27.

The next day, as I lined up for the 3200, my heart was racing. I wanted another State medal (which are awarded to the top 8 finishers) but I was seeded 16th. I came through the first mile in 4:38, and from that moment the only thing that mattered to me was passing the people ahead of me. I finished the race in 6th place with a 9:23, a National Elite time which was noticed by the Penn State Cross Country Coach, and here I am today, proud of myself and my teammates and grateful beyond measure for the amazing memories I have been blessed with throughout the years.

SOME OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INFLUENTIAL IN LIAM’S CAREER

Early on, my parents were the only reason I continued to improve. I vividly remember a practice run where I was tired and didn’t feel like running, so I complained to my dad about how I wanted to take off today. He yelled at me that he was trying to make me better and I wouldn’t improve if I slacked off like that. At the time, I thought he was being a jerk at the time, but now I realize how important that lesson was to me, and now I think about it every time my training becomes difficult.

I also wouldn’t be where I was today were it not for Coach Murtha in Cross Country and Coach Bevevino in tTrack. They both taught me how to become a better runner. Coach Murtha was vital when it came to toning down my workouts so as to avoid re-injuring myself during my freshman and sophomore years. He was insightful enough to understand that if I pushed too hard too early, I would burn out and likely hurt myself more.

(Photo by Mark Bettwy) Liam on the track

Coach Bevevino never lost faith in me and when I told him sophomore year I wanted a State medal, he told me it would be tough but if I listened to him I would get it, and sure enough, after years of core, speed, and endurance training, his promise proved true.

WHY LIAM CHOSE PENN STATE

For some reason the large school environment always appealed to me, and after going to Penn State’s cross country camp each summer I knew that was where I wanted to go. because PSU is a great academic as well as athletic university. It was only my senior year that I considered running for the team, which is one of the top D1 teams in the country. I am so happy with my choice and I know that I will never have any regrets about my decision.

LIAM’S PLANNED COURSES OF STUDY
While I plan to enter an engineering field, I am still unsure about which specific area. As of now my top choices are nuclear and computer engineering, but I will see what appeals to me the most after a semester or two.

LIAM’S CAREER PLANS
I hope to either be an engineer or teach engineering at the college level.

COMMENTS BY COACH KEITH MURTHA
Liam has been a treat to watch since his first meet in 7th grade even then he was learning positioning by elbowing out his competitor.

In reality, 7th grade Cross Country wasn’t his first race he had already run some 5K’s with his mom, Kara and done quite well! If Facebook existed at the the time, she would have posted the results, like the prod mama she is!

Liam has been a good example to the younger runners, helping to create a culture and a tradition we hope continues to grow and he we will always be a part of!

Liam rewrote the record book his senior year as he was undefeated against District 9 opponents! A KSAC, D9 champion. He finished his career earning All-State honors. Liam medaled in all invitationals he competed in.

From a Bobcat to A Nittany Lion, and a scholar at that we will be watching Liam as he move forward. Wishing him the best and wanting him to know Bobcat Nation is cheering for him and we know Kara will keep us updated!

(CONGRATULATIONS LIAM!!!! HAVE A GREAT CAREER AT PSU!!!!)

LIAM’S HIGH SCHOOL CROSS-COUNTRY AND TRACK ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Activity Years (grades) Honor/Award

Boys Varsity Cross Country 9, 10, 11, 12 Team Captain all four years
Team MVP three years
2014 PIAA All-State and Medalist
PIAA State Qualifier 2 years
2014 District IX Champion
2014 KSAC Champion
2014 KSAC MVP
1st Team All-Conference 3 years
2nd Team All-Conference 1 year
2014 Ridgway Invitational Champion
2014 Panther Invitational Champion
2014 Bobcat Invitational Champion
2014 PIAA Foundation Race Runner-Up

Boys Varsity Track 9, 10, 11, 12 2015 PIAA State Medalist 3200 meters (sixth place)
2015 District IX 1600 and 3200 Champion
2015 PIAA Finalist in 1600 (finished 12th)
2015 KSAC Track MVP
2015 Clarion Area Track MVP
2015 Tri-County Track MVP
2015 Tri-County MVP in 1600 and 3200 meter runs
2015 District IX 3200 meter Champion
2015 District IX 1600 meter Champion
2015 Redbank Valley Invitational 1600 meter champion (meet record)
2015 Franklin Invitational 1600 meter champion
2015 Brookville Invitational 1600 meter champion
2015 Oil City Invitational 3200 meter champion
2015 KSAC 1st team in 1600 and 3200
2015 KSAC 2nd team in 800 and 400
2015 district qualifier in 400, 800, 1600, 3200
2014 PIAA State Qualifier (16th in 3200)
2014 District IX 3200 meter Champion
2014 Conference MVP
2014 KSAC 1st team in 1600 and 3200
2013, 2014 Tri-County 3200 MVP
2014 All-Conference 1600, 3200, 800 relay
2014 Redbank Valley Invitational 3200 meter champion
2014 Brookville Invitational 3200 meter champion
2014 Oil City Invitational 3200 meter champion
2014 District qualifier in 1600, 3200, and 3200 relay
2013 District qualifier in 1600, 3200, and 3200 relay