Announcement
Thomas Leonard BREAKS Alumni legend Dan Cole's SOPHOMORE 3200M SCHOOL RECORD to WIN Oak Lawn Spartan Invitational 3200m run! Record lasted 35 years!
On Friday, April 13, 2018, the Marist Varsity Men and Sophomore Boys Track Team traveled to Oak Lawn Community High School for the 16th Annual Spartan Invitational.
Marist Sophomore Thomas Leonard came into the meet with a 3200m personal record of 10:08.24, and the goal of breaking 9:55 to qualify for an elite Track meet, Distance Night at Palatine High School, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, 2018. The field at Distance Night at Palatine is limited to the top 32 distance runners in the Midwest.
The Marist Sophomore 3200m run school record was held by Alumni legend Dan Cole (1983, 9:51.8). Dan Cole graduated from Marist in 1985, and after high school, ran Cross Country and Track for West Point for four years. Dan Cole graduated from West Point in 1989. At West Point, Dan Cole ran a 3:46 1500m, which converts to a 4:02 mile! Cole also competed at the famous Penn Relays on multiple occassions, and helped Army beat Navy in Cross Country and Track! Cole also holds the Marist Sophomore 4x800m Relay record (8:26.0).
The Marist Sophomore 3200m run record has lasted 35 years (1983).
On Friday, April 13, 2018, the conditions on the Track were windy with rain. Thomas Leonard approached the starting line with determination and guts.
Thomas Leonard ran the first 400m in 68 seconds, and then ran the next 400m in 74 seconds for an 800m split of 2:22. Leonard then ran the next 400m in a NEGATIVE split of 73 seconds for a 1200m split of 3:35. Leonard then ran the next 400m in 74 seconds for a 1600m split of 4:49.
Thomas Leonard then ran the next 400m in a NEGATIVE split of 73 seconds for a 2000m split of 6:02. Leonard ran the next 400m in 75 seconds for a 2400m split of 7:17. Leonard then ran the next 400m in an even split of 75 seconds for a 2800m split of 8:32. IHSA Official, and former State champ Lionell Poole rang the bell as Thomas Leonard began the final lap of the 3200m. Thomas Leonard ran the final 400m in a NEGATIVE split of 70.06 seconds to WIN the 3200m and BREAK THE SOPHOMORE SCHOOL RECORD with a personal best time of 9:42.06. Thomas Leonard dropped 26 seconds (10:08.24) to WIN the 3200m and BREAK THE SOPHOMORE SCHOOL RECORD! As soon as he crossed the finish line, Leonard was mobbed by teammates congratulating him on breaking the 35 years old school record!!
Alumni legend Dan Cole contacted Marist Head Coach Jon Gordon to congratulate Thomas Leonard on breaking his 3200m record. Dan Cole currently lives in Johns Creek, Georia with his wife, Dianne Eldridge Cole, and their four children. All four of his kids run. Dan Cole is also a volunteer Track Coach. Dan Cole also works for an Insurance company, the United Health Group. Cole participates in the Peachtree 10K in Atlanta, Georgia every July. The Peachtree 10K is the world's largest 6.2 miles race with 60,000 runners. Dan Cole is consistently among the top runners in his age group.
Thomas Leonard will be honored in practice on Monday with a WATERMELON for breaking the Marist Sophomore 3200m run record, and will also receive a plaque at the Marist Track and Field Banquet at the East Bank Club on Sunday, June 3, 2018.
