Archbishop Carroll’s Aidan Doherty is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
The senior runner has had a stellar winter track season in the 3,000 meter run, finishing first at the Ursinus Holiday High School Invitational, first at the Track and Field Coaches Association of Philadelphia Meet #6, and second at the Delco Meet of Champions. Doherty is a three-sport runner for the Patriots – last fall, he had a strong cross-country campaign, and he has competed in the Penn Relays for the Carroll spring track team. He has competed in Penn Relays every year since 5th grade.
Q: Do you think running indoors (in the 3,000 meter race) presents any special challenges, compared to running cross-country in the fall?
A: Running 3,000 meters indoors is completely different than cross-country. It is 15 laps and it can be a little mind numbing running in circles that many times. Cross-country has the elements and the terrain is changing constantly. It forces you to be more focused.
Q: What do you think has been your best 3,000 meter run of the season? What is your most vivid memory of that performance, and what was the key to your success that day?
A: I felt like the Delco Meet of Champions was my best 3,000 meter race this season. I am still getting used to the distance. My most vivid memory is waiting too long to make my push. I felt like I had more to give when I finished, and that is something you want to avoid.
Q: What (in your view) was your best performance of the past cross-country season – what were the conditions, and what was the key to your performance that day?
A: My best performance during cross-country was the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University. I ran a 16:21 5k and had a good day against a large and really competitive field of runners.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in indoor track – when did you first start competing in the 3,000 meter race? Who have been your biggest mentors in indoor track, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: I have been doing indoor track since my freshman year. This is my first year doing the 3,000 meter as I try to stretch myself out for longer distance racing in college. My coach has been a big help as I transition into a longer race.
Q: What is your favorite memory of Penn Relays – can you share it with us?
A: I started running in the Philadelphia CYO program and have run every year at the Penn Relays since 5th grade. It’s always a fun experience. Two years ago, Carroll was on the track directly after the top U.S. team comprised of multiple Olympians competed. The energy in the stadium was awesome as they took on the Jamaicans.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-meet preparation the day of a meet.
A: My events are typically later in the day so I just try to relax and support my teammates. About an hour prior to my race I begin to warm up. I typically run a few miles and then a series of stretches to get ready for a 3,000 meter race.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Archbishop Carroll? What do you think you might like to major in at college?
A: I am currently enjoying Human Geography and how the population is impacting the earth. In college, I plan to major in business with a focus on marketing.
Q: Do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Archbishop Carroll other than indoor track, spring track and cross-country?
A: I love basketball and play for Holy Family CYO Basketball. It is a lot of fun getting back together with guys I went to grade school with that are spread across a lot of different high schools. I am also a member of the Community Service Corps (CSC) that is a great way to give back to the community and those in need.
Fun facts – Aidan Doherty
Favorite TV show: Hard Knocks.
Favorite movie: Step Brothers.
Favorite athlete: Joel Embiid.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: 0 To 100/ The Catch Up by Drake.
Favorite team: Sixers.
Favorite place to visit: Ocean City, N.J.
Favorite pre-meet meal: Peanut Butter & Jelly.
Siblings: older sister Grace, younger brother Liam.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
To view a gallery of the Main Line Boys Athletes of the Week from 2013 to present click here
