On a cool September morning in 2011, Liam Conville laced up his cross country spikes for the first time. Like many freshman, he didn’t quite know how to run a 5K, so he did what everyone else did ─ follow the faster guys.

Conville crossed the line at 19 minutes and 51.88 seconds.

 

Since that race, Liam Conville knew that cross country was the sport for him.

 

 

The Road Less Traveled

 

Most kids come into high school wanting to be the next football, basketball, and even track star at their school.

 

‘What to do?’ was the question.

Unlike the others, Liam, then in the eighth grade, had other ideas, though he wasn’t sure what to make of them. He finally chose one and decided to run with it ─ literally. He began running over the summer, getting into shape for freshman year.

 

Now a senior, Matanzas High School cross country and track runner Liam Conville is eager to write the last chapter in his high school history book.

 

 

A Look In The Mirror

 

Albert Einstein said  “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

Like many runners, Conville looks back at his past to help him look to the future.

 

As a freshman, Conville had a good start as he finished the cross country season with a 18:33.14. In track, he ran 5:06.22 in the 1600 meters and ended his season with a 10:49.18 in the 3200 meters at the district meet.

 

As a sophomore, Conville dropped a full minute in the 5000 meters, running a then season-best of 17:33.15, and running 17:57.89 at the region meet. During the spring, he focused more on the 3200 meters, running a then season-best time of 10:24.16. He made it to the region meet as well.

 

Junior year is when Liam broke out of his shell. Last fall, he ran at the cross country state meet in Tallahassee, where he ran 17:52.07. He ran a personal-record of 16:53.10 at the FLrunners.com Invitational 14 meet.

 

This past spring, Liam qualified for states in the 1600 meters, where he ran 4:44.64. It was then that he had a turning point.

 

“I finally went from being just another guy on the track to someone who was competitive on most stages.” said Conville.

 

Conville looks to the future, and appreciates the past.

“I can't say I regret anything,” said Conville. “Running holds you accountable: you get what you put in. I'm content with every experience that I've had so far and I've definitely enjoyed it. Cross country changed my life forever and brought many wonderful new people into my life. From my coaches to my teammates to so many runners from other teams, I've made many friends I'll always remember and made some

great memories. I have enjoyed the company of so many talented and dedicated athletes along the way. I'll never regret that.”

 

In addition to Conville’s successful junior year, he broke two school records, one in the 1500 meters and the other in the 1600 meters. He ran 4:19.90 in the 1500 meters and 4:33.05 in the 1600 meters.

 

Senior Year

 

Senioritis - A crippling disease that strikes high school seniors. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. Also features a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as Graduation.

 

Even though this “disease” hasn’t affected him yet, it won’t be long before it does. Until then, he’s grinding even harder on and off the track.

“As a senior this year, I am looking to help my team achieve as many things as they can that have not been done before in our school's history,” said Conville. “I want to push not just myself but everyone to their maximum potential. I want to go all out and enjoy every moment because it goes by quick!”

 

Conville runs when he needs to and hits the books as well. Some people excel in one and not the other, but Conville makes it priority to maintain both.

 

“I do really well in school,” said Conville. “I have probably excelled more in school than running. I would say running helps my grades because it helps to clear my mind. It is an outlet which helps me think.”

 

He is looking to go into aerospace. During his high school career, Conville has taken many Advanced Placement courses, including Biology, Psychology, World History, Calculus BC, and U.S. History. His weighted GPA is 5.0, and his unweighted GPA is 4.0. His class rank is number one.

 

Along with being ranked number one in his class, he’s also number one on his cross country team, as well as his track team in the 1600 and 3200 meters.

The Mind Of A Running Pirate

“When you truly lose yourself in running, nothing else matters but the wind at your back and the zone of seamlessly striding one foot in front of the other,” said Conville. “Where you can then enjoy the utter bliss of the serenity and tranquility of practically flying along the track.”

 

Liam  is running for more than medals and times. He’s running for the sheer thrill of the sport. Waking up everyday and running until he drops is how he gets stuff done. His idea is work hard and be grateful for everyday, something most people take for granted.

 

“We’re blessed to get a chance to run everyday.” said Conville.

 

It doesn’t matter if it’s a good day or a bad day. If Liam is running, then he’s happy.

 

 

All Hands On Deck

 

Liam is eyeing one last shot to make it to Treasure Island. However, he isn’t boarding the pirate ship alone. He looks toward his “crew” to be with him as they plot their course and head towards their destinations ─ Apalachee Regional Park and the University of North Florida.

“I love all my teammates as if we are a family and we are super close,” Liam said. “We support each other in every workout, every race and we support each other in everyday life with any issues we may have. I wouldn't trade my teammates for the world and we are definitely a tight knit group.”

 

Liam and the Matanzas Pirates are getting ready to set off on their long maiden voyage, making a few stops along the way.

 

As the captain of his crew, Liam looks forward to the day when he can lay anchor in November, and again in May.

 

 

The Inspiration

 

Whenever Liam speaks, he tends to be very comforting and inspirational. He always has something good to say about everyone else.

 

“I think all of us runners wish we could have started earlier or done something differently which would have put us in better shape,” said Conville. “And we also would love to make the high school running experience going for a longer time.”

 

“Give every ounce of yourself to every workout and every race. Also, encourage your teammates to do the same. There is no greater satisfaction than knowing you have delved deeper within yourself and conquered the pain which causes many people to succumb and quit. The effort, the pain and lactic acid, the trials and tribulations; they are all worth it when you stand on a beautiful track or course in the cool of a starry night sky or refreshing morning, put on your spikes, and achieve what you never believed was possible. Despite all the other obstacles and difficulties of the world, everyone is just another runner seeking to test their limits.”

 

Liam is no superstar. He’s not the next Andres Arroyo or Suhki Khosla. He is however, the one and only Liam Conville of Matanzas High School.

Because he’s in Palm Coast (which most people associate the area with West Palm Beach) he’s virtually unknown. But as he goes between his duties as a high school senior and the number one distance runner for Matanzas, coaches should be sure to get his name down on their recruiting list.