Stonehill College’s Keith Gill has set the bar high for his younger brother, Kevin Gill, who also runs for Stonehill. Two weekends ago, Kevin set a school record for the fastest mile ran by a freshman. Not to be outdone, Keith responded by setting a school record at the Terrier Classic, running a 4:06.73 mile. Not only did this time set the school record in the mile, but it is one of the fastest times this indoor season. Running comes naturally to Keith. About his first experience with the sport, he recalls, “I was always one of the faster kids on the [other sports] teams, but I never had any interest in competitive running until junior high when my mother brought my brother and I to a weekly local 2.2 mile kids' road race that Dave Gorman hosted at a local park.” About subsequent competitions, he explains, “Our parents were far from runners so we didn't know what the hell we were doing. We'd wake up about 15 minutes before race, maybe eat or drink something if we had time, then jump out of the car while everyone was already on the starting line and then win our age division.” Natural talent can only take a runner so far. Keith explains, “It wasn't until high school, however, that I realized how much talent I actually had, how much more I had in common with cross country/track teammates than in other sports, and that I could have run those road races much faster if I ran at any other point during the week.” He continues, “Under the coaching of Joe LeMar, Bill Jennings, and Dave Walsh, I learned the basics of training, racing, and how to throw a Brockton elbow if necessary. By no means were my accomplishments nationally recognized. In fact, I was never even a state champion. But high school proved to be the perfect stepping stone to my collegiate success.” This collegiate success came at Stonehill College. Keith chose Stonehill for many reasons: to its close proximity to his home, it was financial feasible, he liked Coach Karen Boen, and it is a Division II program. “Most of my other college choices were D1, but I believed DII would be a better fit. I was frequently injured in high school, so I wanted a school where the coach wouldn't give up on me for missing a season. I also believed that I could be just as successful in DII as I could be in D1... so why not receive more accolades for running just as fast?” he explains. He also added, "I've always been intrigued by stones... hills also." Stonehill proved to be an ideal match for Keith, and thus he was able to convince his brother to become a fellow Skyhawk. He explains, “I heavily influenced his decision to attend Stonehill because I knew it would be a perfect fit for him as it is for me. Plus who wouldn't want an incoming 4:13 miler on their team? He knew a great opportunity when he saw it.” Keith further elaborates on the upside and downside of having his little brother on his team: “It is great for three reasons. We're able to constantly support one another. He’s fast as all hell and strengthens our XC and DMR teams. And, our parents don't have to pick and choose which meet they attend each weekend. It sucks for one reason: he will break all my records.” Keith plans to set a few more records before he leaves. In addressing his goals for this year he explains, “Bettering my PRs are always a must, especially in the mile, but my training always revolves around winning nationals in the mile. My goals include subbing-4 in the mile, winning a national championship, and not jinxing my other two goals.” “I'm actually considering coming back for a 5th year to make up for the all the seasons that I've missed. I need to lower all of the school records before my brother breaks all of them” he jokes, adding a little fuel to the fire of sibling rivalry. Results for the weekend of Feb.1st The Giants upset the nearly perfect Patriots in the Superbowl by a score of 17-14. While most people were on their couches watching the game, many runners were out winning races. Thomson Invitational Adelphi took the women’s competition with 141 points. Stockton was second with 94 points and Moravian was third with 92 points. Lincoln’s Shanda Jackson won the 200m with a time of 26.32. This time also preliminary qualifies her for the NCAA Division II indoor meet. Her teammate Alisha Mckeithan won the 400m in the time of 58.88 over Adelpi’s Danielle Lyons who ran a 1:00.99. Moravian took the men’s competition with 131 points followed by Salisbury who had 128 points. Adelphi came in third with 102 points. Lincoln’s Aaron Hunter won the triple jump with a jump of 14.49m. This jump preliminary qualifies her for the NCAA Division II indoor meet. East Stroudsburg DeSchriver InvitationalBloomburg’s Andrea Kellock won the women’s mile in a time of 5:08 over Millersville’s Rachel Hull who ran a 5:20. Lockhaven’s Chelsea Morse won the women’s high jump in a jump of 1.67 m. Cheney’s Cyrus Wesley won the men’s 200m in the time of 22.37 over East Stroudsburg’s Jeff McClenton who ran a 22.56. West Chester’s Jarret Eaton won the men’s 55m hurdles in a time of 7.47. MSU Open Concordia’s Katie Johnson won the women’s 200m with a time of 26.10 followed closely by UW-Whitewater’s Brooke Bell who ran a 26.14. South Dakota’s Heather Wollman won the 400ms with a time of 57.11 followed by her teammate Brittany Garner who ran 57.34. Minnesota Duluth’s Liz Palkie won the mile in the time of 5:04. Saint Thomas’s James Ewer won the 60m with a time of 6.88. Concordia’s Kawaskii Bacon won the men’s 200m with a time of 22.11. MSU-Mankato’s Nate Pieper won the men’s 400m with a time of 48.62. St.Thomas’s Brian Sames won the 800m with the time of 1:53.38. *Picture from Stonehill website