LYNN — Eamonn and Madisen McHale, Lynn natives and siblings, have dominated the cross country sphere for Lynn English this season – motivating one another, and finding happiness through the sport.
Eamonn, a junior, and Madisen, a freshman, have both caught eyes in competition. The elder sibling recorded an 18.50 time in the 3.2 mile race, while the school’s newest female speedster recorded a 24.30 time.
The McHale family is a five-children group. Due to Eamonn’s brothers – as well his mother – participating in cross country, it was only right that he joined the club. The domino effect would continue with Madisen taking after her older brother.
“Once my brother started doing it, I would always go to his cross country meets and I would get more involved with that – and I got interested,” said Madisen McHale. “So then once I tried it, I loved it.”
The duo have both relished their experience during their years – and year – wearing maroon. For Madisen, the part she treasures most is the comradery.
“I love being part of a team and building good friendships because that’s what makes running more fun,” Madisen McHale said.
Eamonn’s favorite aspect is the embrace of challenge, and matching himself up against other schools and runners. That being said, he won’t lie in saying that it helps him stay fit.
“The competition, mainly, and just staying in shape,” Eamonn McHale said.
The two are very close whenever they put on their running shoes. They’re constantly stretching together, talking to one another about a race, and motivating each other.
“He gives me pep talks about big meets and stuff, so, I really appreciate that,” Madisen McHale said.
With the pair having such grand success in the sport, Eamonn attributes it to his physical training. However, he also recognizes the mental aspect of cross country.
“When you go out there, it’s all just a mental race,” Eamonn McHale said. “Watching how your opponents train hard and seeing how they run.”
Eamonn’s presence and sense of motivation can be felt throughout the team, and he added that he’s constantly preparing his legs and endurance.
“Sometimes I’ll go for a nice, long run after practice,” Eamonn McHale said. “Get over there to do some sprints and drills.”
Head Coach Brenda Martin attributes their success to being two of the hardest workers on the team, as well as their hard work during summers.
“That really put them in a good position to do well,” Martin said. “They’re both pretty much leaders on the team. They’ll go a little bit extra.”
When it comes to the sport itself, she said the siblings have taken lots of life values from it – and believes that when children participate in sports, they’re more successful.
“For me, it’s always about focus, working hard, and if you’re able to do that, you can do that across [life],” Martin said.
Whether Eamonn and Madisen choose to participate in cross country post-high school or not, the lessons they’ve already learned from the sport will never disappear.
“I really appreciate how much it [cross country] helped me, and it gave me a good purpose,” Madisen McHale said. “It gives me a lot of courage to do something and I’m very grateful for that.”
Joey Barrett can be reached at [email protected].
