MileSplit RI recognizes Bishop Hendricken’s Connor Doyle as the first athlete in our Salute to Seniors’ series. Doyle, who is the youngest son of the late legendary RI marathoner Bobby Doyle, established himself as a key member of the Hawks the last few years. He specialized in the distance events where he had best of 8:46 for the 3,000-meter run and 4:30 for the mile. His top time for the 5K was achieved on June 14 when he finished 29th overall at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals with a solid 15:12.35 clocking. Doyle achieved all-state honors in the fall at the RIIL state cross-country championships where he led the Hawks to the team title with his fourth-place finish.
What would you consider the highlight of your high school career?
I would have to say the highlight of my high school career was in cross country when I was Hendricken's top finisher with a fourth place and helped our team to a fifth consecutive state championship, three of which I was a part of and the other two my older brother, Brian, was a part of. Cross country is my favorite season and it meant a lot to go out on top.
What was your most memorable performance?
My most memorable performance was our team performance at the class meet in cross country. The previous week at the Manhattan Invitational we had been defeated by LaSalle on possibly our worst performance of the year. After the loss, we became angry with the way we had performed in the last few meets and set ourselves out to make a statement at class. Not only did I follow through but more importantly my teammates followed through as well. That day we put our top five runners in front of a great LaSalle team's first man and we established ourselves as a team that day.
What was your most difficult obstacle to overcome?
Over the past four years I have overcome many obstacles from simply improving every year to the state meet battles with great teams like La Salle in XC in 2010, Chariho in all three seasons in 2011, and LaSalle again in 2012. The most difficult obstacle was regaining the Indoor State's streak this year. I tripled that day in the 3k, 1500, and the 1000 and killed myself for 10 points to help our team regain the title.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
The advice I would give to my younger teammates and competitors is to be a fighter. We all know that constant training and grueling races hurt and it is easy to quit. I have seen teammates like Alex Doherty, and Collin Manning come back after fighting countless injuries/illnesses. I have seen teammates like Colin Tierney push himself to the limit every time he laces up his spikes. I have even seen my competitors, such as Jake Grundy, fight in every step of his races. All it takes to be a great runner is the guts to fight the pain of training and the pain of racing.
What will you miss most?
I will miss my team the most. I've spent nearly every single day of the last four years with some of these kids and they have all grown to become some of my best friends. I've become good friends with many teammates from the class of 2010 all the way down to the class of 2016 and everyone in between.
What are your future plans?
I plan on continuing my running career at The University of Massachusetts, Lowell, where the Riverhawks start their first year of Division 1 this upcoming year. I look forward to helping my new team out in its transition into Division 1 and hopefully will make the top 7 as a freshman.
What influence has your coach (or coaches) had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
My coaches have had the greatest influences on me as a runner, and more importantly as a man over the last four years. From the coaches who have come and gone, to the coaches that are there every day today, they have all made a huge impact as my life in one way or another. I would not be the runner, nor the person I am without all of their help.
Who would you like to say Thank You?
I would like to say thank you to all of my teammates I have ever run with, in particular the class of 2013 including Alex Doherty, Tyler Henseler, Greg Beaudette, Sean Wiggin, Dan Thadeio, and Steve Couture. You guys have become some of my best friends and I want to thank all of you for being there for the countless miles over our four years together. I would also like to thank all of Hendricken's great coaches such as Coaches St. Thomas, Greene, and especially Coaches Lourenco, Brennan, and Doyle (A.K.A the Beaver). You have all influenced me in a great deal over the last four years and not one of you get enough credit you deserve for your dedication to our team. You have all been great role models for me to look up to for my high school career. Lastly I would like to thank my family. Mom and Kenzie, you're my biggest supporters and I want to thank you, Mom for everything you have done for me in the last 18 years. To my brothers Pat, Brendan, and Brian, thank you for your countless race plans and help for four years of running. It has been an honor to follow in your footsteps and Dad's footsteps as a great Rhode Island runner.