Michael Connolly Class: Senior Hometown: Strongsville, OH High School: Strongsville Height: 5-9 Birthdate: 08/14/1986

2007
As a senior, Michael Connolly ran in the Flyer 5K as his only varsity race. Michael will have a fifth season of cross country eligibility in 2008, when he looks to improve upon his 24th Harrier Hero standing.

2006
Last winter, Connolly set a personal best in the Indoor 3,000m in a time of 9:24 but missed the spring meets due to injury. Throughout the 2006 season, Connolly improved throughout and finished the season as the fourth-man at the NCAA Regional Meet. His breakout race started at the BGSU Falcon Invitational where he finished with the eighth fastest Flyer time. He then made an impressive drop to fifth-man at the Atlantic 10 Championships running the course in a time of 27:34. With a strong summer, Connolly's talent will be able to reach its full potential in his senior year next fall.

2005
Like his freshman year, Connolly ran in every race and improved as the season progressed. At the Atlantic 10 Championships, he ran a season best 26:30, which was good for a fourth-man finish in a strong team performance. Despite an illness over the summer that limited his training, his time was only seven seconds away from a personal best. Connolly lowered his track 5,000 meters personal best to 16:04 in the spring season. He also holds the 18th spot on the Harrier Heroes list with a personal best of 26:23.

2004
Connolly joined the team as a recruit in 2004 and was expected to make an impact in his first year, which he did. He was also one of the only three Flyers to complete all eight varsity races. After finishing as 8th man at the Flyer 5k and 6th man at the Mel Brodt Invitational, he then improved to finish in the top five for the remaining six meets. He led the Flyers at the NCAA Pre-National meet as well as the Atlantic 10 Conference meet. His time of 26:58 at the conference meet makes him the fourth fastest rookie in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Connolly's personal best time of 26:23 was set at NCAA Pre-Nationals, which ranks him 17th overall on the "Harrier Heroes" list. With continued focus and effort, Connolly will be an integral part of the Flyers' lead pack next season.

HIGH SCHOOL
All-Ohio Division I team. First team Pioneer Conference. Team Ohio in the Midwest Cross Country Championship Participated in Footlocker Cross Country Regional.

PERSONAL
Son of Joseph and Joanne Connolly, Brother of Megan and Catherine...Born August 14, 1986... Majoring in Marketing.