LA CROSSE — Aquinas High School senior Declan Gregg was hesitant to run in front of the pack on Friday, and he believes it may have cost him a top finish at the WIAA state track and field meet.
Gregg walked away from the Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex after his first event torn after placing fifth in the Division 2 1,600-meter run.
“First was there, but I didn’t take it, and I should have,” said Gregg, who was third after one lap and second after two on his way to a time of 4 minutes, 19.3 seconds. “I, for sure, thought (Whitewater’s) Jack (Hefty) or (McFarland’s) Spencer (Alf) would take it out as fast as they could, and that was a little unexpected.”
The time is the second-fastest of Gregg’s career, so there was certainly a reason to walk out of the facility with his head held high. The time should help his confidence to run in Saturday’s 3,200, and the finish should spark his motivation to move up in the final standings.
Gregg won the Division 3 cross country championship last fall, and that experience should settle him to close out his Aquinas career on a high note in his favorite race.
“I walk out a little disappointed, but I have to come back and run a god 3,200,” Gregg said. “I have to prove myself there.
“This fuels me.”
