The 53rd annual McQuaid Invitational took place on September 30. Genesee Valley Park was fully occupied with over 8,200 registered competitors from 256 teams and as many as 13,000 spectators.

Coach Todd Stewart felt his runners were “phenomenal” at the event. “Abel Hagos won the AAA unseeded race in the time of 15:16, and the sophomore boys team won their race, with Max Chew winning by 30 seconds,” he said.

Along with Hagos, there were multiple other winners of their respective races. All together, Thomas Witkowicz from All Saints Catholic High School in Ontario, Canada, finished in the lowest time in all varsity boys races, 14:33.9. Brooke Rauber (Tully N.Y./Tully High School) held the lowest time in all varsity girls races, 16:52.4. Nathan Lawler (Pittsford N.Y./ Pittsford Mendon High School) ran the lowest time out of all Rochester area runners, 14:52.1.

Hagos reflected on his performance in his second year running, saying, “I think I did pretty well, going through the first and second mile. I picked it up on the last mile, picked up the pace and moved on up.”

Hagos, a McQuaid Jesuit junior, is looking forward to what the 2018 Invitational has to bring, hoping to break 15:00. McQuaid Jesuit senior Frank Leni also talked about his experience. “I’m no Abel, but I’d like to think I’m pretty decent. Great experience, it’s always fun to host Jesuit brothers, and play host with cross country,” Leni said.

With roughly 5,000 runners from outside the Greater Rochester area, competitors resided in various hotels, mainly in the Henrietta area. McQuaid Jesuit cross country members did host runners from three brother schools: Fordham Prep, St. Peter’s Prep, and Walsh Jesuit.