Comber has more in store at Hatboro-Horsham

Maybe now more than ever, running is a source of comfort and solitude for area cross country and track athletes.
Hatboro-Horsham has an outstanding one in Devon Comber, who continues to attack the trails with more and more purpose.
“This season was a sign that I could bring my running game to the next level and prove to myself, teammates, and coaches what I could do on the course, especially in a weird and crazy time,” the Hatter senior said. “It means a ton to make such a large jump at the district and state meets and to finish out my high school cross country career strong.”
Comber, Montco Media’s Athlete of the Year for Boys Cross Country, climbed higher up the mountain in 2020, racing to a silver medal at the PIAA-3A Championships in Hershey as well as second at the District 1-3A Championships. The Hatter distance ace was also crowned Suburban One League Liberty Division Champion.
And he’s not done.
“It feels great to finish my cross country career with the success that I had, but one thing is for sure and that is that I’ll be back,” Comber said. “I have plenty more that I want to do with my high school running career. You will see me back for whatever type of track season awaits us in the winter and spring.”
Area athletes are battling through the shutdown until Jan. 4. That allows plenty of time for long runs, and reflection.
Comber has plenty to look back on in 2020.
“The state meet was an awfully weird meet and definitely much different than I had ever experienced,” he said. “The separation of the field into separate heats was strange. It is unfortunate that I came up just short of the individual state title but, looking back on it, it is definitely something I’m proud of.”
Comber crossed the line in 16 minutes, 10 seconds, faster than 113 other runners in 3A. He clocked a 16:24 at districts at Tyler State Park.
“The district meet was a far different feel also, as it is usually a very large field of runners on an extremely fast course,” Comber said. “However, this year it was a smaller field with extremely windy and cold conditions just five days before the state meet that had far hotter weather.
“It was a bummer that I wasn’t able to close in the end to take the win but still a very solid performance.”
A week earlier, Comber not only won the individual gold but also paced his squad to the team title.
“Winning the SOL Liberty Division title was on all of our minds days prior to the race but it seemed like a stretch as we were in third place in the league,” Comber said. “The day of the race, we all got mentally and physically prepared, did our pre-race routine and got ourselves in the winning mindset that we needed to be in.
“Surely enough, the race went off and we did just that. We had won. The team raced tremendously and we became two-time league champions.”

Early signs >> Coming into the year,  Comber barely needed a warm-up.
“Devon was ready to go as soon as we were allowed to practice in July,” Hatboro-Horsham coach D.J. Fromal said of his senior pack leader. “He built a great mileage base, surpassed every workout goal and was a true leader for this team. Individually, he remained undefeated in our league for the second consecutive year.
“His winning time at the Suburban One League Liberty Division race (15:19) was the fastest cross country time in the state this year. He ran well in cold, windy conditions at districts and came back five days later and placed second in the state. I could not have asked for anything more from an athlete given everything that could have derailed him this year.”
Comber didn’t just maintain a demanding pace, but kept increasing it.
“One of the biggest things that stands out about Devon is that he is never satisfied,” Fromal said. “He could have used many excuses to have a letdown this year. He never made an excuse. He always just went about his business and was extremely coachable.”
The lasting memory for Fromal is Comber’s reaction to his PIAA-3A race out in Hershey.
“Knowing the time he needed to beat,” Fromal said, “Devon pushed his body to its limit and fell across the finish line in an attempt to beat the winning time. “When it didn’t happen, he sat near the finish line and tried to apologize to me for not winning. It was never about winning for me. I was just hoping that he would be able to get to the state meet this year and prove to himself that he was as good as anyone. He did that and more.”
Comber had quite a postseason. He captured gold at the SOL Liberty Championships in 15:19, raced to second in District 1-3A in 16:24, then capped it off by placing second in the state in 16:10.
Indoor and outdoor track await, and then the next level.
“Devon will need to step up his mileage to prepare for the longer college races (8K and 10K),” Fromal said. “As his older brother has already gone through this at the elite level (Casey has run for Villanova), Devon will be ready for the challenge.
“His goals are not done for this season in high school but he will find a college that challenges him academically and athletically. I know Devon has a bright future.”