Former Titan Linehan making strides on and off the track

Jack Linehan leads at Boston College

It was four years ago this week that Titan Crested Butte student/athlete Jack Linehan wrapped up his high school track career at the state championships. This past week, he closed out his collegiate career, running for the Division I program at Boston College.
Hopes were high for Linehan in 2009 as he headed into the high school state championships with a solid season of running in both the 800 and 1,600 meters. His plan was to bring home one, maybe two state titles.
But his hopes were dashed early as he had a rough showing in the 800 meters to start things off.
“I had a disappointing first day but my whole goal was to be the 1,600-meter state champ,” explains Linehan.
Down but not out, he turned it around the next day to finish second place in the 1,600-meters posting a new personal record time of 4:27, and while he fell short of his big goal, it only fueled his fire.
“I felt like I had a lot more in the tank,” says Linehan. “I wanted nothing more than to keep working hard.”
Still, to finish with decent results among smaller 2A programs in Colorado and look to a collegiate career is a big step, especially at the Division I level.
Nevertheless, Linehan’s drive is what attracted the attention of Boston College track coach Matthew Kerr.
“When I met with him in person, he was just a very confident young man,” explains Kerr. “He was clearly driven to succeed. He was a guy we wanted to take a chance on—a diamond in the rough.”
Linehan made the team as a freshman walk-on and made the most of his time to bring his game to a Division I level.
“I didn’t really make an impact that first season but I cared,” explains Linehan. “I just worked hard every day to get a chance to prove myself in competition.”
His dedication paid off in his sophomore year as he joined the 4×800-meter relay team to win the New England Championships, setting a meet record time of 3:36.52 and continued to garner several accolades as his career continued. Linehan received All New England honors, All-IC4A honors for his achievements on the track as well as the Athletics Director’s Award for Academic Achievement as a freshman, sophomore and junior for his accomplishments in the classroom.
Linehan finished off his collegiate career on top of his game. To start it off, Jack was named captain of the Boston College track and field team as well as president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Oftentimes, Division I athletes can stray from the path of giving back to the community. Linehan chose a different path.
“Too often we hear about college athletes and their athletic accomplishments,” explains Peter Folan, assistant director of first year experiences at Boston College. “It’s student/athletes like Jack that we should hear more about. He is a true consummate leader in all aspects.”
“I really just wanted to be involved at Boston College and athletics was a great avenue for that,” adds Linehan. “I love being someone who somebody can go to for help.”
In addition to helping first-year students with their college experiences and partaking in community service projects, including rebuilding areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, Linehan’s success on the track continued.
He set a personal mark this past indoor track and field season as a senior for Boston College when he ran a 4:08 in the mile at the 2012 IC4A Championships.
It had been his goal all season long but it wasn’t until the final event of his collegiate indoor track and field career that he hit it.
“It was one of the greatest moments of my life probably,” says Linehan. “I was running angry, I knew I had it in me. Even though I didn’t get first place, it didn’t matter.”
He then carried the momentum into the outdoor season, setting a personal record time of 3:52.21 in the 1,500-meters at the ACC Championships. His 4xmile relay team was one second shy of setting a new school record at the prestigious Penn Relays and then his 4×800-meter relay team posted the third fastest time in Boston College history at the New England Championships. His swan song came in the 1,500-meters, where he finished fifth place with a time of 3:52.32.
“He went out with a bang,” says Kerr.
Linehan attributes his success in collegiate sports to dedication and training and believes that one’s athletic career doesn’t have to end at the high school state championships.
“I think success at the collegiate level is all about how much drive you have,” says Linehan. “Not being scared to do it because you never know what’s out there. If it’s really important to you, you’ll make it happen.”