Editor’s Note: Since its original online publication, this article was updated and printed in the Benet Herald 2025 Graduation Edition. The updated version is shown below.

On November 9th, 2024, Benet Academy senior and seasoned Cross Country and Track runner Finn Richards fulfilled even his wildest dreams. Earlier in the season, Finn Richards broke the Benet Academy school record, which had stood for over a half-century, by 19 seconds. A time of this speed is considered to be among the upper echelon of college cross country runners; Thus, an accomplishment of this scale at the high school level is practically unheard of. 

But when it mattered most, at the Illinois High School Association’s 2A State Cross Country Championships, he ran the three mile course of Detweiller Park in Peoria in a jarringly quick fourteen minutes and twenty-one seconds. At state, not only did Finn beat his personal best and school record by a second, but he also won the 2024 IHSA Cross Country race in the 2A Class. Richards did this in stunning fashion, with second place not crossing the finish line for nearly eleven seconds. With his time, Finn became the fourth fastest runner of all-time in IHSA 2A class. This is in addition to his substantial accomplishments in the realm of Benet Academy’s Track & Field, where last month he broke several Benet Academy school records.

After his historic Cross Country race, Editor-In-Chief and Writer for the Benet Herald, John Augustyn ‘25, was able to sit down with Finn to discuss training for this spectacular outcome: 

How did you dedicate yourself to this goal? 

I’ve wanted to win for two years now, and I knew that I could after my finish at state last year. Through the help of my family and friends, both in Heaven and on the Earth, nothing could stop me from accomplishing this feat. 

What does this accomplishment mean to you, and how did you feel after winning? 

I felt amazing, and it means a lot to get the recognition, for myself, for Benet, and for the Cross Country Team. All of these years of hard work that me and my teammates have endured paid off in an incredible way. 

What role did your teammates and Coach Renicker have in guiding you on your path to extreme success? 

Over the years, I have had a lot of teammates that would consistently push me in my workouts. A lot of them have graduated, but many are still here. They just remind me that I’m not in this fight alone. My coaches not only pushed me, but also told me what I needed to hear before each race. 

What do you think your running career has in store for you in the long term? 

After track, I plan on running at the Division 1 Collegiate level. From there, anything could happen! 

The Benet Herald wishes Finn the greatest success in his future running career, as he heads to Vanderbilt University in the fall to pursue his athletic and academic career.