Sophomore Kevin James won the Harry Lang Invitational on Sept. 2, and it marked the start of what he, his teammates and his coaches all expect to be a big year for No. 3 Syracuse.

James was the oldest and most experienced member of the team to compete at Harry Lang.

“I was pretty confident heading into it,” James said, “We were able to control the pace up front and I just happened to be the one to cross the line first.”

James began running track in fifth grade and started with cross country a year later. He attended Cardinal O’Hara (Pennsylvania) High School and was part of a top-five team finish at the Nike Cross Country Nationals his sophomore year.

One of James’ biggest races in high school, the 2014 Penn Relays, was held at Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania. The relays, the largest outdoor track event in the United States, bring together the best high school, college and professional runners in the world. And Franklin Field was where his grade school’s championships were held when he first started running.

“It was an intense experience down there,” James said. “A lot different than when I was younger, because we were running the same times as the pros and college athletes.”

The relay team that James was a part of finished third that day. Tom Kennedy, James’ high school coach, was there to see his performance.

“A young, tough kid like Kevin shining at a large venue was no surprise,” Kennedy said. “He is naturally gifted. … He certainly has all of the tools to go where he wants to.”

Even as James arrived at Syracuse in 2016, teammates said, he quickly became a leader in his class. Last year, he was the only SU freshman to compete in the NCAA championships.

It’s earned James a role in Syracuse’s top seven this season and he expects to be the team’s fifth runner.

“Kevin’s assumed a huge leadership role for the sophomores and freshmen,” senior Justyn Knight said. “He’s had a big head on his shoulders since day one.”

On a weekly basis, Kevin will run anywhere from 80 to 90 miles, a 5- to 10-mile increase from the previous season. James said he has handled the extra mileage well and believes it will help him stay consistent as the season progresses.

Last year, his finishes at the ACC Championships (21st) and the NCAA Championships (116th) established him as a contributor. It’s also made him feel more comfortable with each race this season. Now, James realizes the pressure is on for him to keep growing as a runner.

“The best Kevin James helps this team in a tremendous way,” associate head coach Brien Bell said. “Most people his age go to the NCAA Championships and mess up. Kevin didn’t.

“If we can build upon that, he will be a big contributor on a team that’s trying to win a national title.”

Published on September 17, 2017 at 7:48 pm

Contact KJ: kjedelma@syr.edu | @KJEdelman