Joshua Jacques concludes his High School XC career finishing 32nd at Foot Locker Nationals

by Ka'Deem Wynn for DyeStat Florida

SAN DIEGO, CA. ─  The dream was to make it here. No matter what happened along the way, the road absolutely had to end here. The days of watching the live stream were over because now, he was there.

Lyman senior Joshua Jacques finished 32nd in today’s race in a time of 15:58.70 at the 37th Annual Foot Locker National Championships. One of the only two Florida boys to qualify this year, Jacques was looking to end his career on a high note.

RELATED - JOSHUA's POST RACE INTERVIEW AT FOOT LOCKER NATIONALS

“It’s a privilege to be out here, and it’s something I really had to work for,” Jacques said yesterday.

Jacques, who had a bit of a rough ending to the regular season, says that the Joshua Jacques at the state meet had a lot of pressure that he put on himself, on top of being sick. This is why his comeback had to be so decisive in order to prove to himself exactly what he was capable of. And it paid off.

With this all being new to him, he says that he’s enjoyed the whole experience, and he simply taking it all in, savoring each and every moment. In addition to making it to Nationals, this was also a special weekend for him, as it was his birthday Friday night.

Jacques added that it was great to have Steven along with him ─ someone he knew. The two raced each other at a few meets this year, including the UF Mt. Dew Invitational, the FSU Pre-State Invitational, and of course, the Foot Locker South Regional race.

He said that his plan today was to give it his all and leave it all on the course; and there’s no question that this is exactly what he did.

With his senior cross country season now over, Jacques will get a bit of a rest up period before logging some more miles and prepping for track.

The reigning 3,200 meter state champion in 4A looks to defend his title, while of course dropping his times.

After the race, Jacques and his more-than-proud grandfather and coach Finke were talking about the upcoming track season, and Finke, while laughing mentioned that “8:50s are the goal.”

Is that a sign of what’s to come for Jacques? One can only hope and wait, and watch as the season unfolds in the spring.

What is known is that the Lyman senior is now part of Florida, as well as Foot Locker history. These were arguably some of the best days of his life, moments that he’ll remember for the rest of his illustrious career.

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