We went into the season with a chip on our shoulder - we wanted to prove to people that last year was a fluke and we have done that. It is a credit to the work the guys put in over the summer. We did it all. Shay has the unique ability to enter a cross country race with a clear plan and execute it. He knows exactly what it takes to win each race.
Times are irrelevant because of the different courses.
You have to pick out the best guy in the race and stick with him. About halfway through the race I can decide if I can go with the best runners or hold back. Our team strategy is to go out a little conservative and start to pick people off as they get tired. Shay's 12th-place finish enabled the Notre Dame team to finish eighth at the NCAA Championship. The team was not initially satisfied with the placing, but coach Joe Piane knows that is just their competitive fire showing itself.