The story of Saturday's Gilmour Academy Paul Primeau Invitational was not measured by place or podium, but by intent. With the schedule calling for three races packed into eight days, the WRA boys arrived in Gates Mills with a different experiment in mind: commit to a fast first mile, lean into discomfort, and see who might emerge when the pace demanded courage. On a course known for its sharp turns and hidden climbs, that strategy produced a mix of breakthroughs, lessons, and confidence heading into the next test.
Junior James Johnston '27 delivered the boldest statement. He surged to the front with a 5:00-flat opening mile, holding the lead for more than two miles. His second-place finish in 17:01.7 was less about the result and more about the way he chose to race—pushing his pace from the start and carrying the lead for more than two miles. In doing so, Johnston not only met the day's objective but continued to raise his ceiling.
Sophomore Brendan Bennett '28 followed with a 17:58.9, placing sixth overall and among the top two underclassmen, reinforcing his place as a steady presence the program can count on for top-10 finishes. Senior Rian Arora '26 showed new reserves of strength with a 19:27.9, a performance that impressed his coaches. Junior Daniel Randazzo '27 (19:55.5) ran a controlled but ambitious 5:45 first mile, sharpening his racing instincts for that crucial opening stretch.
In the chase pack, junior Leo Wang '27 overcame a sleepless night to post 20:22.3, finishing shoulder-to-shoulder with senior Grant Adams '26 (20:22.4), who opened with a confident 5:52. Sophomores Arav Mather '28 (20:31.8), Ronan Flowers '28 (21:57.4), and junior Wen Xiao '27 (22:32.6) closed out the varsity effort, providing essential depth and experience.
The JV squad added its own momentum to the day. Sophomore Harry Xu '28 impressed in his WRA XC debut, running a 22:20.3 PR to lead the group. Behind him, freshman Maverick Geraghty '29 (23:06.1) ran a confident and strong race, while seniors Shane Deng '26 (24:21.8 PR) and Tristan Karhl '26 (24:28.2 PR) each turned in standout improvements on a course that rarely gives away fast times. Sophomore Tyler Omega '28 (23:59.1) continued his steady upward climb.
Other notable moments included freshman Phineas Haskell '29 (24:30.5), who raced tough even while learning the subtler art of pre-race nutrition. Juniors Alex Wang '27 (28:00.6 PR) and Kendel Barber '28 (30:19.2 PR) each showing tremendous grit in the final mile. Freshman Peter Qin '29 (27:53.3) marked his WRA debut with a personal best. Sophomore Justin Yin '28 (30:17.5) also launched his season, laying groundwork for the weeks ahead.
The takeaway from Gilmour was not about the finish order but about the mindset: racing with purpose and embracing the uncomfortable work that builds successful seasons. The boys accomplished their goal. Now they turn quickly to the next meet, carrying with them the momentum of a fast first mile and the conviction that tomorrow brings another chance to push the limits.
Full Results here:
https://oh.milesplit.com/meets/690339-gilmour-academy-paul-primeau-invitational-2025/info
Note: Generative AI helped to draft this story based on materials from milesplit.com. It was revised, reviewed and edited by the Boys' XC coaching staff.
